The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing 190 research universities and affiliated institutes, addressed a formal letter to Dr. Robin Staffin of the Department of Defense (DoD) on April 5, 2017, to highlight specific administrative concerns related to DoD financial assistance awards. The communication outlines challenges faced by member institutions during pre- and post-award processes, particularly emphasizing issues with the iRAPT electronic invoicing system, which they describe as difficult to navigate due to frequent data errors and duplicative submission requirements, leading to increased administrative burden. Additionally, COGR points to complications in award closeout procedures, where recipients are sometimes required to prove extended end dates even after proper notifications have been issued, suggesting a need for the DoD to improve its internal coordination.
Further, the letter raises concerns regarding the early cutoff for submitting questions about funding opportunities, noting that administrative queries often arise closer to submission deadlines and cannot be addressed due to the early question deadline. COGR recommends greater flexibility in this process to enhance the quality of proposals, such as extending the question period and improving communication mechanisms. The letter concludes by expressing appreciation for the DoD’s attention to these matters and offers to facilitate further discussion to resolve the identified issues, underscoring the organization’s commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federally funded research administration.
