Updates and Information Regarding COVID-19 / Coronavirus
This page has been set up to provide updates related to the Office of Sponsored Programs in response to COVID-19.
Last Updated: July 17, 2020
Processes have been put in place for Georgia Tech's Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) Contracting Officers and other supporting staff to carry out all critical Research Administration functions (e.g. proposal submission, award acceptance) while working remotely. As instructed by President Cabrera, remote work operations began on the week of March 16, 2020.
Please note that it is more important than ever to give the Contracting Officer sufficient time to review your proposal and its supporting documentation. Proposals received less than 12 business hours before the deadline may receive only a limited review, for compliance with Georgia Tech policies only. Proposals requiring representations, certifications and other types of commitments may not be complete by the deadline if received the day due.
USG and Georgia Tech Useful Links
- Georgia Tech's "Monitoring Coronavirus" Webpage
- University System of Georgia - Coronavirus Disease 2019 Updates
- Research Ramp Down Plan - Message from Dr. Abdallah (3/17/2020)
- Georgia Tech's Research Continuity Guidance (Research/EVPR Website)
- Georgia Tech's Instructional Continuity Plan (Provost Website)
- Georgia Tech Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures Leave Procedures
- Georgia Tech Responding to COVID-19 Stories Website
- Georgia Tech Rapid Response Website - PPE Design Plan Downloads and More
Council on Governmental Relations: Resources for COVID-19 Updates
- FAQs Regarding COVID-19's Impact on Federal Awards from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR)
- Useful Information from Multiple Agencies and Universities from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) USEFUL AGENCY LINKS!
Federal Agencies: Information for Proposers and Awardees / COVID-19 Guidance
The flexibilities provided in three Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memoranda (M-10-17, M-20-20, and M-20-11) were meant to provide short-term administrative, financial and audit requirements under the 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, without compromising Federal financial assistance accountability requirements. The flexibilities and current expiration dates are June 16, 2020 (for M-20-17 and M-20-20) and July 26, 2020 (for M20-11).
NEW! June 18, 2020: The Office of Management and Budget issued OMB M-20-26, giving federal sponsoring agencies the authority to extend flexibilities that expired June 16, allowing “recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to active Federal awards consistent with the recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.” This flexibility is limited to circumstances where other available sources of funding have been exhausted, and by USG policy.
Georgia Tech's flexibility is limited to that allowed by the USG and our sponsors. We will be updating our web page on this site, COVID-19 Resources by Agency, as we receive additional information to guide any reliance on this extended flexibility.
View Summary of Flexibilities and Guidance
View Table of Federal Guidance Links
Acquisition.gov: Coronavirus Acquisition-Related Information and Resources (External)
NOTE: Some agency flexibilities on charging salaries rely on Institute (Georgia Tech) policy. Refer to Georgia Tech Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures posted by Human Resources on March 26, 2020.
Non-Federal Agencies: Information for Proposers or Grantees / COVID-19 Guidance
- American Cancer Society
- American Heart Association
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Guidance on Repurposing Supplies Funded by Federal Awards (OMB M-20-20) (Expired June 16, 2020)
April 9, 2020: OMB is issuing a class exception that allows Federal awarding agencies to repurpose their federal assistance awards (in whole or part) to support the COVID-19 response, as consistent with applicable laws. For awardees,such flexibilities will be communicated by the sponsoring federal agency, in response to OMB M-20-20. We will do our best to post links to such guidance here as it becomes available or is brought to our attention.
As an example of this flexibility, agencies may allow recipients to donate medical equipment (including, but not limited to, personal protective equipment, medical devices, medicines, and other medical supplies) purchased with Federal assistance funds to hospitals, medical centers, and other local entities serving the public for COVID-19 response. This class exception also extends to the donation of other resources (such as labor, supplies, and contract services) funded under Federal financial assistance to support COVID-19 emergency response activities.
Note: M-20-20 and M-20-17 expired on June 16, 2020.
Coronavirus Updates from Other Georgia Tech Research Administration Units
- Office of Research Integrity Assurance (IRBs, IACUC, Conflict of Interest Management, Export Control, etc.)
- Office of Industry Engagement (Industry and International Research Agreements, Licensing, Exchange Agreements, etc.)