University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program( ) g

Grant Managers’ Remarks

UTC Grantees’ MeetingJune 7, 2010

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1998/99 UTC Grants Closing

last of the 26 “old ‘grants dating from the TEA-21 authorization period

grants spanned two awarding agencies (RSPA, RITA) and three different accounting systems = final reconciliation not easy

thanks for your help obtaining final invoices reports from your universitiesthanks for your help obtaining final invoices, reports from your universities

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Sweeps of “Unencumbered” Funds

UTCs heard this from somewhere

unencumbered = obligated?

un-awarded funds are vulnerable in the event of emergency, but --

no indication to date of any such sweeps at US DOT, and --

UTC funds come through FHWA and FTA so they appear somewhat like an obligationUTC funds come through FHWA and FTA, so they appear somewhat like an obligation even before award

to accelerate award of funds, UTC must provide grant-benefit justification; for RITA, d t d hi t d dgood stewardship trumps speedy award

flip side of having un-awarded funds: avoids authorization-extension uncertainty

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Change in Submission of Invoices

will begin later this month ; instructions via e-mail to UTC and business office

mail hard copy directly to RITA’s accounts-payable contractor in Oklahoma City

should be fewer invoices lost/destroyed in mail sent to RITA HQ

payment not faster, but more reliable

USDOT working on electronic grant-payment system for 2011USDOT working on electronic grant payment system for 2011

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Revised UTC Grant Reporting Requirements

change with this summer’s awards

one big unknown = Barbara Post leaving TRB

switch to new financial form SF425

update distribution of Final Research Reports -- somewhat more “green”, though no longer same procedure for all recipients

new request for reporting stakeholder uses of research results in Annual Report narrative (see next slide)

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Revised Reporting Requirements (continued)

Excerpt from new requirements:

6.) Annual Report

A. Corporate Style Report: The first part shall be a Corporate-Style Annual Report suitable for general distribution It shall be posted on the Center’s web site and fivesuitable for general distribution. It shall be posted on the Center s web site and five hard copies submitted to the RITA Grant Administrator. The report shall include at a minimum the following elements:

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□ Examples of products, technologies, or other research results that are being used by stakeholders (state DOTs industry etc ) and description of how they are beingby stakeholders (state DOTs, industry, etc.) and description of how they are being used (this may include changes in requirements, laws, regulations, or designs of other products).

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