National Science Foundation (NSF)

The National Science Foundation normally awards grants to various types of organizations. The cost principles applicable to the awardee vary depending upon the type of organization. For instance, commercial firms are normally held to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) for cost principles (FAR Part 31) and financial management systems that comply with OMB Circular A-110, Subpart C.21 (2 CFR §215.21).

The NSF SBIR/STTR program is usually governed by a special set of NSF regulations (Phase I and Phase II) found on the NSF website. The NSF also allows the applicant for Phase I awards to budget up to $10,000 to set-up a compliant accounting system. As an awardee, it is imperative that your set-up and maintain a compliant accounting system for your NSF Ph I award.

"Why do I need a Compliant Job Cost System for an NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I Award?"

Because your Ph II Funding, and possibly the future of your business, depend on it!

With the submission of cost reports, and the final report, the government wants you to declare, under penalty of perjury, that the money spent was in accordance with the proposed budget. The only way to prove this is to have a job cost accounting system, and a properly maintained labor distribution & timekeeping system. You also need to ensure this system was properly maintained throughout the duration of the grant. ReliAscent's NSF Program provides you with that system, and ensures you can focus on your grant.

The NSF CAP Review

Before a small business receives its Phase II award, Cost Analysis & Pre-Award (CAP) Branch Auditors will need to verify that the Phase I spending was made in accordance with FAR Part 31. Meaning, you must produce a Ph I spending report (as if the award were a cost-type contract, instead of fixed price). If you fail to produce this report correctly, you will not receive the phase II funding!

In order to pass the CAP review, you must certify that this is how you keep your books and records. With ReliAscent’s help, your small business can set up and maintain a compliant accounting system, and pass your CAP review (our experts have a 100% success rate helping clients pass their CAAR/CAP reviews).

NSF SBIR/STTR Ph I Accounting Services & Products

ReliAscent offers 3 NSF SBIR/STTR Compliant Accounting System Packages for Ph I awardees, and the option for complete outsourced accounting during your Ph I (for companies that do not have an accounting experience or an accountant or bookkeeper on staff). These packages are designed to work with QuickBooks Online, and allow the awardee to perform their own compliant accounting during the award, as well as to help you ensure compliance, price your Ph II proposal, and even pass the NSF CAP Review (formerly known as the CAAR Review). Contact ReliAscent for Program Pricing

NSF Silver Program™

- Set-up a FAR Part 31 compliant QuickBooks program (Online version)
- Structure an NSF compatible Chart of Accounts
- Manual Timekeeping procedure and timecard
- Accounting Manual describing how to make entries that are compliant
- Monthly accounting checklist to ensure proper accounting process
- Provide full assistance to the awardee in the CAP review process to ensure passing the review

NSF Gold Program™

- Everything in the Silver Program™ plus:
- 1-hour training session to the awardee on how to use the system
- Assistance to the awardee in generating pricing for the Phase II (including establishing indirect billing rates)
- Up to 4 hours of free consulting during the term of the Phase I award

NSF Platinum Program™

- Everything in the Gold Program™ plus:
- Additional 1-hour training session on the accounting system
- Quarterly review of the accounting system for compliance
- Additional 2 hours consulting during the term of the Phase I award

NSF SBIR/STTR Ph. I & II Monthly Accounting Services

ReliAscent offers full, outsourced accounting to NSF Ph I and II awardees, in order to ensure compliance with NSF requirements, and to ensure awardees can focus on their grant. For Ph I winners, ReliAscent will set up an NSF compliant job cost accounting system on our cloud, and handle the bookkeeping and monthly accounting functions for you, so you can focus on what you do best, and improve your chances of winning your Ph II award.

For companies that have a Ph II award, ReliAscent will set-up a fully DCAA compliant accounting system using QuickBooks Enterprise (hosted on the cloud), and will maintain that system for you through the duration of the grant and beyond, if desired. With this system in place, your accounting system is fully compliant and ready to handle any cost type, T&M, or fixed price contract or grant with the Federal Government, and/or any SBIR/STTR award.

Price: starting at $1,500/month