82 FR 13660 - Final Notice of Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) To Address and Implement the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 48 (March 14, 2017)

Page Range		13660-13661
FR Document		2017-04955

Effective with publication of this Notice in the Federal Register, research agencies will be able to utilize the updated Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) that will address and implement the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13660-13661]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04955]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Final Notice of Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) To Address 
and Implement the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, 
and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Issued by the U.S. Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Final notice of Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) to address 
and implement the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, 
and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) issued by the 
U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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SUMMARY: Effective with publication of this Notice in the Federal 
Register, research agencies will be able to utilize the updated 
Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) that will address and implement the 
Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) issued by the U.S. Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: The updated Research Terms and Conditions will March 14, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:  To view the final Research Terms and 
Conditions and Appendices, see: https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/rtc.jsp. For information on the Research Terms and Conditions, contact 
Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Division of Institution & Award 
Support, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, 
22230, email: [email protected]; telephone (703) 292-8243; FAX: (703) 
292-9171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2000, the Federal Demonstration 
Partnership (FDP), a cooperative initiative among numerous Federal 
agencies and institutional recipients of research funds aimed at 
reducing the administrative burdens associated with research grants and 
contracts, developed Standard Terms and Conditions as a model 
implementation of OMB Circular A-110. These terms were an effective set 
of requirements for many agency research awards. In 2005, following 
public and agency comment on the original FDP terms, standard research 
terms and conditions were developed by Research Business Models (RBM), 
an Interagency Working Group of the Social, Behavioral & Economic 
Research Subcommittee of the Committee on Science (CoS), a committee of 
the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). In 2008, a side-by-
side comparison of OMB Circular A-110 and the Research Terms and 
Conditions was developed; the terms and conditions were updated in 
2011.
    This project is an initiative of the Research Business Models (RBM) 
Interagency Working Group. One of the RBM Subcommittee's priority areas 
is to create greater consistency in the administration of Federal 
research awards. Given the increasing complexity of interdisciplinary 
and interagency research, it has become increasingly important for 
Federal agencies to manage awards in a similar fashion.
    On June 30, 2014, a proposal was presented to the RBM on behalf of 
the participating agencies from the RBM Interagency Working Group to 
develop a revised set of RTCs for implementing the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards, 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance). The purpose was to 
develop a revised set of RTCs as they apply to research and research-
related grants made by the following awarding agencies to institutions 
of higher education and non-profit organizations.
    The agencies participating in this activity include the: U. S. 
Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
and National Institute of Standards and Technology; U.S. Department of 
Energy; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration; National Science Foundation; U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services/National Institutes of Health; U.S. 
Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture; 
U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration; and 
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
    On October 14, 2015 the National Science Foundation asked for 
public comment on the updated Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) to 
address and implement the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards issued by the 
U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the Federal Register [80 
FR 61849, October 14, 2015]. All comments were considered in developing 
this final version of the Research Terms and Conditions. A table 
listing the comments and responses is posted on the NSF Web site at: 
https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/rtc.jsp.
    While the Uniform Guidance outlines provisions that are specific to 
research, these terms and conditions:
     Incorporate the entire Uniform Guidance by reference, 
clarifying or supplementing select provisions where appropriate and 
consistent with government-wide research policy.
     Incorporate the latest version of the Frequently Asked 
Questions for the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards at 2 CFR 200 (located at https://cfo.gov/cofar-resources).
     Apply to an award when included as part of the award or 
when incorporated in the award by reference. Use of the RTCs is 
envisioned as a streamlined approach that supports the implementation 
of the Uniform Guidance by providing clarification, supplementary 
guidance, and, where appropriate, selected options, while meeting the 
spirit and intent of a uniform implementation.
    The side-by-side RTCs depict pertinent sections of the Uniform 
Guidance on the left side and clarifications for research and research-
related awards on the right side.
    In addition to the RTCs, three companion resources will be 
developed upon implementation: Appendix A, Prior Approval Matrix, 
Appendix B, Subaward Requirements Matrix, and

[[Page 13661]]

Appendix C, National Policy Requirements Matrix. The companion 
resources, when finalized, will be posted on the NSF Web site at: 
https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/rtc.jsp. The RTCs include 
flexibility for additional individual agency clarification through the 
incorporation of Appendices A-C and Agency-Specific Requirements.
    These RTCs will apply to an award when they are included as part of 
that award, or when incorporated into that award by reference. Each 
participating agency will develop their own implementation plan, and 
agency specific requirements to the RTCs, which will be posted on the 
NSF Web site at: https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/rtc.jsp. Since 
there will be multiple implementation dates, the RTC Web site should be 
consulted frequently.
    Other agencies not identified above that would like to implement 
the RTCs are strongly encouraged to do so. In order to provide the 
necessary documentation to the research community, the following 
information must be provided to NSF prior to adoption of the RTCs: 
Prior Approval Matrix, Subaward Requirements Matrix, Agency-Specific 
Requirements, and agency implementation plan.
    On behalf of the RBM, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has 
agreed to continue to serve as the sponsor of the updated version of 
these RTCs.

    Dated: March 9, 2017.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2017-04955 Filed 3-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 14, 2017 / Notices 13661

Appendix C, National Policy notice. The full submission (including community on a competitive proposal
Requirements Matrix. The companion comments) may be found at: http:// basis. In addition to the user program,
resources, when finalized, will be www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. these facilities support in-house
posted on the NSF Web site at: https:// Comments: Comments are invited on: research, development of new
www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/rtc.jsp. (a) Whether the proposed collection of instrumentation or techniques,
The RTCs include flexibility for information is necessary for the proper education, and knowledge transfer.
additional individual agency performance of the functions of the The facilities integrate research and
clarification through the incorporation Foundation, including whether the education for students and post-docs
of Appendices A–C and Agency- information will have practical utility; involved in experiments, and support
Specific Requirements. (b) the accuracy of the Foundation’s extensive K–12 outreach to foster an
These RTCs will apply to an award estimate of the burden of the proposed interest in Science Technology
when they are included as part of that collection of information; (c) ways to Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
award, or when incorporated into that enhance the quality, utility, and clarity and STEM careers. Facilities capitalize
award by reference. Each participating of the information to be collected; and on diversity through participation in
agency will develop their own (d) ways to minimize the burden of the center activities and demonstrate
implementation plan, and agency collection of information on those who leadership in the involvement of groups
specific requirements to the RTCs, are to respond, including through the underrepresented in science and
which will be posted on the NSF Web use of automated collection techniques engineering.
site at: https://www.nsf.gov/awards/ or other forms of information National User Facilities will be
managing/rtc.jsp. Since there will be technology. required to submit annual reports on
multiple implementation dates, the RTC progress and plans, which will be used
DATES: Written comments on this notice as a basis for performance review and
Web site should be consulted must be received by April 13, 2017, to
frequently. determining the level of continued
be assured consideration. Comments funding. User facilities will be required
Other agencies not identified above received after that date will be
that would like to implement the RTCs to develop a set of management and
considered to the extent practicable. performance indicators for submission
are strongly encouraged to do so. In Send comments to address below.
order to provide the necessary annually to NSF via the Research
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Performance Project Reporting (RPPR)
documentation to the research
community, the following information Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance module in Research.gov. These
must be provided to NSF prior to Officer, National Science Foundation, indicators are both quantitative and
adoption of the RTCs: Prior Approval 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, descriptive and may include, for
Matrix, Subaward Requirements Matrix, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone example, lists of successful proposal
Agency-Specific Requirements, and (703) 292–7556; or send email to and users, the characteristics of facility
agency implementation plan. splimpto@nsf.gov. Individuals who use personnel and students; sources of
On behalf of the RBM, the National a telecommunications device for the financial support and in-kind support;
Science Foundation (NSF) has agreed to deaf (TDD) may call the Federal expenditures by operational component;
continue to serve as the sponsor of the Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– research activities; education activities;
updated version of these RTCs. 800–877–8339, which is accessible 24 knowledge transfer activities; patents,
hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a licenses; publications; degrees granted
Dated: March 9, 2017. year (including federal holidays). to students supported through the
Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF may not conduct or sponsor a facility or users of the facility;
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science collection of information unless the descriptions of significant advances and
Foundation. collection of information displays a other outcomes of this investment. Such
[FR Doc. 2017–04955 Filed 3–13–17; 8:45 am] currently valid OMB control number reporting requirements are included in
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P and the agency informs potential the cooperative agreement which is
persons who are to respond to the binding between the academic
collection of information that such institution and the NSF.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION persons are not required to respond to Each facility’s annual report will
the collection of information unless it address the following categories of
Agency Information Collection displays a currently valid OMB control activities: (1) Research, (2) education
Activities: Comment Request number. and training, (3) knowledge transfer, (4)
AGENCY:National Science Foundation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: partnerships, (5) diversity, (6)
Submission for OMB review;
ACTION: Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting management, and (7) budget issues.
comment request. Requirements for National User For each of the categories the report
Facilities managed by the NSF Division will describe overall objectives and
SUMMARY: The National Science of Materials Research. metrics for the reporting period,
Foundation (NSF) has submitted the OMB Number: 3145–0234. challenges or problems the facility has
following information collection Expiration Date of Approval: March encountered in making progress towards
requirement to OMB for review and 31, 2017. goals, anticipated problems in the
clearance under the Paperwork Type of Request: Intent to seek following year, and specific outputs and
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

approval to renew an information outcomes.
13. This is the second notice for public collection. Facilities are required to file a final
comment; the first was published in the Overview of This Information report through the RPPR. Final reports
Federal Register at 81 FR 91959, and no Collection: contain similar information and metrics
comments were received. NSF is The NSF Division of Materials as annual reports, but are retrospective
forwarding the proposed submission to Research (DMR) supports a number of and focus on the period that was not
the Office of Management and Budget National User Facilities that provide addressed in previous annual reports.
(OMB) for clearance simultaneously specialized capabilities and Use of the Information: NSF will use
with the publication of this second instrumentation to the scientific the information to continue funding of

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Document Created: 2017-03-14 02:51:25
Document Modified: 2017-03-14 02:51:25

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Dates		The updated Research Terms and Conditions will March 14, 2017.
FR Citation		82 FR 13660