CAS 501 requires us to ensure that our cost proposal estimates are
consistent with our methods of reporting and accumulating costs.  I would
like to poll the group to see where the documentation for proposal budgets
is being housed.  Are the sponsored programs offices keeping the details or
are most schools leaving the responsibility up to the individual faculty to
retain the "evidence" of method and basis of estimation.

If you are leaving the responsibility with the PI, what level of detail are
you requiring at the proposal approval stage?  Are you requiring detailed
explanation of each line item?  Who will the auditor spend his or her time
with if audited?

Regardless of who keeps the documentation -   How much is enough and how
much is too much?

We are currently leaving the responsibility with the PI but are having a
difficult time explaining what we need at the proposal approval stage to
feel comfortable that the budget is compliant.   We want to be
service-oriented but not too loose with regulations.  Any ideas from the
gallery?   Thanks.

----------------------------------------------------------
Martha M. Taylor,   Director               (334) 844-4438
Contracts and Grants Administration         FAX (334) 844-5953
307 Samford Hall
Auburn University,  AL  36849-5131
xxxxxx@mail.auburn.edu