The document discusses changes to the UTC grant program including: 1) Closing out the last grants from the 1998/99 authorization period which spanned multiple agencies and accounting systems. 2) Clarifying that unawarded UTC funds are not vulnerable to sweeps and will avoid authorization extension uncertainty. 3) Updating grant reporting requirements to directly mail invoices, include stakeholder uses of research in annual reports, and use a new financial reporting form.

1. University Transportation Centers
(
(UTC) Program
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Grant Managers’ Remarks
UTC Grantees’ Meeting
June 7, 2010
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2. 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 universities
invoices
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3. 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 obligation
FTA,
even before award
to accelerate award of funds, UTC must provide grant-benefit justification; for RITA,
good stewardship t
d t d hi trumps speedy award
d d
flip side of having un-awarded funds: avoids authorization-extension uncertainty
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4. 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 2011
grant payment
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5. 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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6. 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 five
distribution. Center s
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 being
DOTs, industry, etc.)
used (this may include changes in requirements, laws, regulations, or designs of
other products).
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