When we think of compliance and sponsored research, our minds usually go to human subjects protocols, unallowable costs, or export controls. Compliance with sponsor requirements for deliverables is equally important, though often overlooked. While responsibility for timely submission of deliverables and technical reports falls to the PI, it is imperative that we as research administrators understand the requirements as well.
The first step is to be aware of the reporting requirements for each project. These requirements can vary not just between sponsors, but also between individual awards or programs. You can find these requirements in your notice of award or in Georgia Tech’s Contract Information System on the deliverables tab.
When a report is due, it must be submitted to both the sponsor and to OSP’s deliverable system. Most sponsors require reports to be uploaded into their individual systems like Fastlane or ERA Commons. OSP requires that reports are submitted to our deliverable system as well so that we can keep copies of reports on record and ensure that reports are submitted by the deadline.
Delayed or delinquent reports can have a series impact on a PI’s sponsored research. Sponsors can delay incoming awards or refuse to pay outstanding invoices. These impacts can be felt not just by the PI responsible for the overdue deliverable, but also to other investigators at Georgia Tech. If a sponsor notices a pattern of late deliverables, they can suspend our use of expanded authorities on current and future awards, which would take away our ability to perform actions like pre-award spending, small revisions to budgets, and automatic approval of no-cost extensions.
If you would like access to your PIs projects in the deliverable system, please have your PI contact Kamie Cunningham.
