Course VI: Contracts

RAC 9020

Course Description:

Contracts in the context of sponsored programs and research administration are a major function in the "Pre-Award" process and have the potential to significantly impact "Post-award" processes. This course provides a fundamental understanding of contract processes and typical form including those used by the Federal government. In addition, policies and regulations affecting contracts are reviewed. Students gain a basic understanding of the contracting process, how to research terms and conditions, and key elements in negotiating contracts.

Course Objectives:

1. Introduce types of contracts and the sponsors that generate them.
2. Present the "typical" contracting process for various sponsors.
3. Review various types of contract solicitations, requests for proposals, and proposals responding different types of solicitations.
4. Introduce institutional policies, business practices, and regulations that affect contract terms and conditions.
5. Through case studies, explore examples of contracts and their negotiations. 
6.  Review contract administration, and utilize the knowledge acquired in prior sessions to evaluate and determine appropriate contract administration policies and procedures.
7. Students present projects describing, front to back, the processing of an actual contract from proposal to final project closeout.

Breakdown of Topics

Week 1:
Introduce by sponsor types, definitions and essential elements of basic agreements , federal contact award, non-federal agreements/contracts, master agreements, MOUs, data use/ materials agreements, teaming agreements, confidentiality agreements, subagreements, contracts for services, and purchase orders.

Week 2:
Detailed review of competition concepts and instruments: RFPs, Broad Agency Announcements, Requests for Quotations, General Solicitations

Week 3:
Analyze RFPs, RFQs, other contract solicitations and discuss structure and construction.

Week 4:
Contracts in the context of academic policies, intellectual property, cost and other business practices.

Week 5:
Case Studies: Review actual contracts (federal, state and municipal government, industry, international organization, foreign government, foundation).

Week 6:
Contract administration and compliance basics, post-award issues, prior approvals, getting paid, technical and financial reporting

Week 7:
Students present projects