Sponsor

Establishing Tasks

Under the CRESST II cooperative agreement, a task is the accounting method through which costs for different projects can be aggregated, collected, and reported appropriately. It does not carry with it all of the characteristics of a task order within a NASA contract. There are three classes of tasks: "science," "special programs" and "participant support." Each task has a unique task number, which inludes the 3-digit GSFC organization code normally associated with a single primary Code 690 or 660 civil service sponsor.

Science tasks are associated with CRESST II scientific staff or graduate students, normally employed by one of the university partners for periods in excess of six months.

Special programs tasks are for short-term visitors, student interns, meetings, colloquia, conferences, summer schools, sabbaticals, etc. The task is typically associated with the sponsor, and is intended to be utilized over the long term. To handle a larger event, such as a conference or summer school, costs associated with specific activities can be isolated by utilizing a CRESST II subtask system. A different overhead structure applies to Special Programs tasks due to the varying nature of the actual costs and administrative support requirements associated with these activities.

Participant Support tasks are used only for the summer intern participants. As these short term appointments are primarily for educational and training purposes, they are classified as "overhead-free" according to Government Uniform Guidance Rules. If a student is working for a longer period, i.e., during the academic year, costs cannot be (or continue to be) classified as participant support.

Before a new R&D activity can commence, there must be an agreement creating a new task or including the activity under an existing task. To set up a new task, or verify if an existing task can be utilized, please contact the Program Manager. Following consultation with the sponsor, he will forward a New Task Information Template for the sponsor to complete. After the completed form has been returned, processed, and approved by the GSFC CATO, the CRESST II Business Manager will notify all related parties when the task code is active and ready for use.

If the task Sponsor requests a fixed budget ceiling, this must be clearly specified on the New Task Information form. The partner institution incurring the costs will monitor expenses and provide notice when the costs approach this ceiling. The Sponsor may then choose to terminate or extend the activity being conducted under the task.