Other Sponsored Activities are those that are established primarily to provide services beneficial to individuals and groups external to the institution. Other Sponsored Activities (OSA) make available to the public various resources and special capabilities that exist within the institution. OMB Circular A-21, “Cost Principles for Educational Institutions,” describes Other Sponsored Activities to include “. . . . programs and projects financed by Federal and non-Federal agencies and organizations which involve the performance of work other than instruction and organized research (emphasis added). Examples of such programs and projects are health service projects, and community service programs….”
Included in the Other Sponsored Activities rate are other recognized Institute functions such as Academic Support, Student Services, Institutional Support, and Operation and Maintenance of Plant. These activities also include cooperative extension services, projects performed by administrative offices and service departments, general advisory services, reference bureaus, consulting, conferences, and similar services to professional societies or particular sectors of the community. Also included are expenditures for activities established as the result of cooperative extension efforts between the institution and outside agencies such as the State of Georgia ’s urban extension services. One feature (although not required) of activities in this category is that programmatic and fiscal control is often shared by the institution with the outside agency. This is especially true when the institution cost-shares in funding the activity. However, cost-sharing alone does not qualify a particular activity for the OSA rate. For clarification, these activities are intended, as stated above, to be available to, and to benefit, “individuals and groups,” the “public” and “various sectors of the community.” As a result, the application of the OSA Facilities & Administrative rate hinges upon a determination of who benefits from the activities associated with a particular project, regardless of the source of funding for that project [e.g. services provided wherein the sole or primary beneficiary is a sponsor such as a private (for profit) company, would not normally qualify for the OSA rate].
In addition to those activities that qualify for the OSA rate based on the above guidelines, the following specific activities will be allowed to use the OSA rate (by direction of Georgia Tech’s administration):
- Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) – (ATDC company’s campus service accounts only)
- Georgia Internships for Teachers (GIFT) Program regardless of funding source
- K-12 Education Community
For activities meeting the above criteria and for the specific activities noted, Contracting Officers in the Office of Sponsored Programs are authorized to approve use of the OSA rate. Otherwise, use of the rate requires approval by the Associate Vice Provost for Research.
GEORGIA STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RATE
The “Georgia State and Local Government” rate is hereby established to be the same as the “Other Sponsored Activities” rate regardless of the nature of the activity. It will automatically change for future periods to remain equal to the prevailing OSA Facilities & Administrative rate. This rate is also applicable to Georgia county and city agencies, and to all Georgia colleges and universities when using their own funds. The use of this rate will not require approval of the Associate Vice Provost for Research.