The document is a presentation by Joe Gindhart from the October 2013 Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) meeting, focused on the transition to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) subaccount system at Washington University in St. Louis. It provides an overview of key NIH notices and revised timelines related to the subaccount transition, which requires the use of new subaccounts for tracking individual awards in the DHHS Payment Management System. The university manages a substantial NIH portfolio, with over 1,000 active projects and nearly $25 million drawn monthly, making the transition operationally significant.
The presentation outlines the collaborative measures taken by various stakeholders—including university administration, research councils, and peer institutions—to address the logistical and technological adjustments needed for the transition, such as updating payment systems and improving reporting accuracy. It details solutions and iterative improvements implemented to align with NIH guidance and timelines, while also highlighting the challenges of managing new reporting structures, increased workload, potential audit findings, and broader regulatory changes. Additionally, references to Government Accountability Office (GAO) testimony underscore historical issues with undisbursed funds and the need for improved management and oversight. The document concludes with a call for continued communication and vigilance as the transition progresses.
