The June 2018 Update from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) provides a comprehensive overview of recent federal policy developments, regulatory changes, and emerging issues pertinent to research institutions. The document highlights COGR’s engagement with the President’s Management Agenda (PMA), emphasizing the potential for partnership with the federal government to streamline administrative processes and reduce regulatory burdens affecting grant administration and compliance. Notable federal updates include the release of the 2018 Compliance Supplement by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), addressing procurement standards, micropurchase thresholds, and the ongoing need for clarification concerning payment and reimbursement under 2 CFR 200.305. The report offers detailed analysis on the implementation of micropurchase thresholds and the impact of the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2017 and 2018, advising member institutions on compliance requirements while regulatory codification is pending.
Further, COGR summarizes key activities of its Costing Policies Committee, such as updates on facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, NIH salary cap adjustments for 2018, and concerns with financial reporting, payment management, and the harmonization of NRSA stipend levels. The update also addresses the regulatory landscape concerning foreign threats to universities—citing recent legislative proposals and outreach by the FBI—and provides commentary on federal efforts to secure research and intellectual property, including dialogue with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and involvement in policy reforms associated with the Bayh-Dole Act. Additional sections cover the implications of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for U.S. research entities, developments in research regulatory reform and burden reduction, and significant updates related to human and animal research protections. Audit findings, NSF Office of Inspector General activities, and collaborative approaches to reporting and administrative alternatives are also discussed, reflecting COGR’s ongoing advocacy for policy clarity, regulatory efficiency, and constructive engagement between federal agencies and the research community.
