Research and Sponsored Projects Manual (RSP)

Effective: 3/1/1983

Revised: 7/1/2018

RSP 503–03: Consultants, Guest Lecturers, and Other Professional Services for Sponsored Projects

Purpose

To define consultants, guest lecturers, and other professionals on sponsored projects

Sources

48 Code of Federal Regulations §§ 1.000 to end (1986)

Office for Research and Sponsored Projects Administration (ORSPA)

Financial Services

Office of Human Resources

Purchasing and Business Services

Policy

Consultants are independent contractors that provide professional services to the university. University employees are ineligible to be consultants on sponsored projects.

Some federal sponsors require specific prior approval for each consultant. The allowable charge for consultants on grants or contracts may be limited by the federal maximum daily rate. Under some conditions, a bidding process may be required before a consultant may be authorized to begin work.

The principal investigator (PI) must provide documentation of consultant costs and compliance with federal, sponsor, and university regulations.

ACD 510–04, “Intra-Institution of Higher Education (IHE) Consulting,” and federal regulations provide that intra-IHE consulting is expected and, as such, extra compensation may be granted only in “unusual cases.”

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Authorized Contracts

Formal written consultant contracts must be signed by an Arizona Board of Regents authorized official. The director of Purchasing and Business Services is one of a limited number of officials at the university authorized by the board to enter into contracts and is the recommended signatory on all professional services contracts (see the Purchasing and Business Services Policies and Procedures Manual–PUR 202–01, “Contract Signature Authority”).

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Payment of Consultants

Payment of consultants on sponsored projects must be in compliance with university policy and procedures as outlined in the Financial Services Policies and Procedures Manual (FIN)–FIN 421-01, “Guest Lecturers, Consultants, and Other Independent Contractors.”

Cross-References

For authoritative references, see RSP 101, “General Research Policy.”

For other university policies that govern the use of consultants, see:

1. the Financial Services Policies and Procedures Manual—FIN 421–01, “Guest Lecturers, Consultants, and Other Independent Contractors”
2. the Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual:
   1. SPP 210, “Consultants/Independent Contractors.”
   2. SPP 404–02, “Supplemental Pay”
3. the Academic Affairs Policies and Procedures Manual:
1. ACD 510–01, “Notification of Consulting or Other Outside Business Activities or Arrangements for Faculty and Academic Professionals”
2. ACD 510–04, “Intra-Institution of Higher Education (IHE) Consulting.”

For university policies that govern bidding and contracts, see the Purchasing and Business Services Policies and Procedures Manual:

1. PUR 202–01, “Contract Signature Authority”
2. PUR 306–01, “Bidding Requirements for Procurements Costing $100,000 or More”

   and

3. PUR 306–02, “Waiver of Bidding Requirements for Procurements Costing $100,000 or More.”

For university policies that govern personnel on sponsored projects, please see RSP 502–01, “Personnel Employed on Sponsored Projects.”

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