This is general, not Kresge-specific.

1)      A reduced price from list is merely good procurement practice,
UNLESS the vendor will state in writing that this is a unique discount and
that the discount is the vendor's contribution to the effort.  Then that is
a cost sharing commitment.

2)      Any promise for matching funds should be obtained in writing.  The
commitment may be conditional on something, such as receiving a specific
award.  The written commitment should satisfy the primary grantor during
the award decision phase.  Once the award is received, the cost sharing
cannot be counted until received.  How you receive it is between you and
the organization making the cost sharing.  If the cost sharing is in-kind
rather than cash, you would be safe using the A-110 methodology for valuing
it.  If your "gift" people want to value in-kind in a different way, you'd
be well advised to be sure that any non-governmental grantor will accept
the alternative evaluation methodology.

Chuck

At 07:49 AM 10/2/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear Listserve Members:
>
>Someone at my institution is planning to submit a grant to the Kresge
>Foundation's Science Initiative program. In reviewing the grant guidelines,
>two questions have arisen that I hope someone can help us answer:
>
>1) If we are able to find the equipment at a discount, can we use the
>difference between the regular price and the discounted price as match?
>
>2) When a corporation or other entity decides to contribute matching funds,
>how and when are these funds actually transferred to my university? Do we
>simply get a verbal commitment to the match, actually have the entity send
>us the money with the promise that we will return it if we do not receive
>Kresge funding, or do we obtain a letter or enter into a simple written
>agreement about their commitment of funds? Or is there another option?
>
>When we approach someone for match, we would like to know exactly what we
>need to ask of them. Thank you so much for your help.
>
>Angela
>*****************************************************
>Angela M. Ford
>Grant and Contract Specialist
>Research & Sponsored Programs
>Stephen F. Austin State University
>P.O. Box 13024,SFA Station
>Nacogdoches, TX 75962
>phone: 936-468-1805
>fax: 936-468-1251
>e-mail: xxxxxx@sfasu.edu
>
>******************************************************
>
>
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Herbert B. Chermside, CRA
Director, Sponsored Programs Administration
Virginia Commonwealth University
PO BOX 980568
Richmond, VA  23298-0568
Express Delivery Only:
 Sanger Hall, Rm. 1-073
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 Richmond, VA  23219
Voice:  804-828-6772
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