Did you know that a database exists that can be utilized to determine if your original source of funding is a Federal Contract?
As mentioned in earlier Tips of the Week, Federal Grant vs. Federal Contract and Are you confused by the terms “Prime Funding Source” or “Prime Sponsor?”, it is important to know the original source of funding for a particular project as the terms and conditions from the original funding document, as well as the regulations of that funding sponsor will apply to the project (i.e., if the funding source is the federal government, federal regulations apply).
If a Federal Contract is the suspected original source, then the Federal Procurement Data System can be utilized to confirm this suspicion. This database contains all Federal Contracts that are over an estimated value of $3,000 and modifications to those contracts. Additional information, which can be useful to the University of Pittsburgh (such as Award Type, Effective/Completion Dates, etc.) can also be found in this database. For further information on this database, see the FAQs.
Notes when using the database:
- The original source award number must be entered into the search field exactly as it is listed in the database. Example: if the contract is listed in the database as HHSN261200700087C, then the system will return no results if entered as HHSN 261 2007 00087C or HHSN-261-2007-00087C.
- If an award is found in the system, then it is a Federal Contract.
- However, no results returned could mean one of the following:
- The information has not been entered yet by the Federal Government;
- The search entry has not been entered exactly as the contract is listed in the database (i.e., it is a Federal Contract, but the system is not finding the result); or
- It is a Federal Contract, but under the $3,000 estimated value limit.
Please contact the Federal Contract Services team at orfedcon@pitt.edu for assistance regarding a Federal Contract.