NSF - 19-1-017 - Finding8Rec.1

Direct OSU to strengthen its administrative and management procedures for travel, procurement, PSCs, effort certifications, cost transfers, fellowship appointments, and currency conversions on sponsored awards. Procedures could include: a. Requiring periodic training for PIs and other personnel responsible for making travel arrangements, purchasing services, charging PSCs, certifying effort reports, processing cost transfers, and appointing fellows on sponsored awards. b. Implementing controls that would prevent OSU personnel from traveling or appointing fellows on sponsored projects without first obtaining OSRAA’s approval. c. Requiring award participants to provide cost comparisons for all travel requests that include personal or train travel before OSU approves travel related to federally sponsored projects. d. Implementing controls that would prevent OSU personnel from submitting travel reimbursement requests or advance reconciliations outside the allowable periods without justification and specific approval. e. Implementing controls that would prevent OSU personnel from processing service expenses without a purchase order or approved agreement. f. Implementing controls that would prevent OSU personnel from processing purchases at or above $25,000 on federally sponsored projects without documenting that the vendor was not suspended or debarred from receiving Federal funds. g. Implementing controls that would prevent OSU personnel from processing cost transfers more than 90 days after originally posting the expense without submitting a Cost Transfer Justification Form. h. Implementing controls that would prevent OSU personnel from processing transactions involving foreign currency without documenting the exchange rate.