Valerie:

I may be off on my citation, but A-110 Section 23(c)(2) looks close to setting
the valuation of cost sharing in your situation.  I do not believe you will find
a specific reference in OMB circulars to your case.  The sponsoring agency may
have additional requirements that may clarify their position on cases like
yours.

My opinion of your case would be that if the vendor has a policy of providing a
discount to educational institutions and voluntarily elects to provide you with
a larger discount for this specific project, the difference between the
educational discounted price for the goods provided and the actual costs to you
could be claimed.

Greg Schmidt

Valerie Seaquist wrote:

> Good Morning --
>
> We are working on a proposal which requires substantial cost sharing. Part
> of our proposed cost will be equipment and materials. One of the PI's has
> said that a vendor will give him a substantial discount and he wants to use
> this as part of the cost sharing. I can't find a particular reference
> addressing this but it seems to me that a "normal" educational discount
> would not qualify as cost-sharing. I would think that any discount above the
> normal educational discount, if properly explained and documented, could be
> counted as cost sharing.
>
> Any references, advice? Thank you.
>
> A good holiday to all!
>
> Val Seaquist
> Office of Research Administration
> The University of Alabama in Huntsville
>
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