Choosing the Right Option
Consultant
A consultant is identified as a person (or commercial entity) with expertise necessary for the performance of the proposed project. Consultants perform similar work commercially on a regular basis. Consultant fees typically are based on an hourly or daily rate. Some federal sponsors have limits on daily rates that can be charged by consultants. Consultants are not subject to the general terms and conditions of the prime award. The consultant's services are on a "work for hire" basis and all intellectual property or copyrightable rights are assigned to UofSC by the consultant. Appropriate costs include travel and housing costs in addition to the professional fee for service. Employees of UofSC cannot act as consultants on a sponsored project at UofSC.
Subcontractor or Subrecipient
A subrecipient means an entity that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity (UofSC) to carry out part of a program or project. Most commonly, this involves a collaborating faculty member employed by another institution or organization. Subrecipients must adhere to applicable federal compliance requirements contained in the prime award; therefore, the terms and conditions of UofSC's award flow down to the subrecipient organization and are part of the subaward agreement.
Budgeting
Including a Consultant in Your Budget
- Consultant charges may include fees, travel and per diem or subsistence. These consultant costs should be included as consultant costs under the consultant or other direct costs section of the budget.
- UofSC employees who participate on a UofSC federally funded project must be identified in the personnel line item (not under the consultant line item).
- UofSC requires a letter signed by each consultant that must include the services to be provided, rate per hour or day, travel costs and the period of performance.
- If it is necessary to specify a particular consultant in your budget, complete the UofSC Procurement Exemption Certification Form in USCeRA. This certification only applies if the named consultant is essential to the success of the project and does not involve a conflict of interest. Justification must be provided.
Including a Subaward in Your Budget
Each participating subcontractor must submit:
- A separate statement of work.
- A detailed budget and budget justification for both the initial budget period and the entire proposed project period.
- Written confirmation from the institution indicating that all institutional requirements have been satisfied and the institution is willing to participate in the project. This document is signed by an authorized official of the institution.
- The subcontractor's budget must include its federally approved indirect cost rate. A copy of the rate agreement should be submitted with the other documents listed above.
- Some sponsors require a letter of collaboration/support from the investigator at the subrecipient institution.
- Completed and signed subrecipient commitment form
Notes:
- Refer to sponsor guidelines for specific subrecipient proposal requirements.
- The total costs of the subcontract (subcontractor's direct costs + subcontractor's indirect costs) is a direct cost in UofSC's budget.
- On federally funded sponsored projects UofSC is only allowed to charge indirect costs on the first $25,000 of the subrecipient's cost. Once this threshold has been reached, the remaining costs for the subcontracting institution should be subtracted from the direct costs before UofSC's indirect cost rate is applied. This will occur each of the remaining years of the project period.
- The Subaward Process
Relevant Policies: