Contracts and Agreements Process
The DRD has employed a multi-layered contract reviewing process consisting of:
First level review
Completing missing information and ensuring that all annexures referred to are available and shared with DRD.
Reviewing contractual clauses and making recommendations.
DRD may also want to have a meeting with all stakeholders to ensure consensus and comprehensive understanding of the envisaged project.
Second level review
In-depth contract vetting that may include UFS legal counsel.
The contracting parties will now negotiate the contractual terms until all parties agree and all legal requirements have been met.
Final review
After the final contract has been accepted by the contracting parties, an execution final version will be shared, and signatures can now be obtained.
The contract will be signed by the UFS delegated authority.
NB: We encourage you to send all the relevant documents and contracts to the DRD well in advance, as the review process requires substantial time and input.
Pre-award:
Post-award:
- When the proposal is accepted by the funder/sponsor, the researcher should contact DRD (Prudence Clarke, clarkep@ufs.ac.za) and share the draft agreement with annexures where applicable.
- DRD, in consultation with its legal counsel, will review the relevant documentation/agreement and make the necessary changes and/or add commentary where applicable.
- This worked-on agreement/document will then be sent back to the researcher, who must share it with the sponsor/grantor or external party for consideration.
- When both parties agree on the contractual clauses, DRD will facilitate the signing process in accordance with the delegation of authority policy.
- A duly signed copy of the agreement and the approved budget (this step occurs during the pre-award phase) will be logged onto RIMS.
- The RIMS number and a copy of the duly signed agreement will be sent to the Department of Finance, who will then create an entity that allows for the funds to be transferred to the relevant department. The researcher should note that if overheads were included in the budget, DRD will debit the project entity and transfer/credit that percentage to the relevant entities (See overhead recoveries information under the Budgeting considerations heading on the Research Budgeting Tool page).
- The post-award process is now complete, and the project can commence.
- The researcher must always ensure that ethical clearance is in place before starting the research. (Access the Research Ethics page here).
- Researcher to note that the contract process can take up to 10 working days to complete; therefore, we encourage you to contact the DRD well in advance.
Project almost complete:
A few months before the project’s expiry date, RIMS will notify the researcher that their project will expire soon. The researcher is to consider the two scenarios below and act accordingly:
- If the project will be completed in the agreed allocated time, they should prepare a close-out report and share it with DRD and the sponsor.
- The RIMS record and entity will be reconciled and closed.
OR
If the project will not be completed in the agreed-upon term, they should inform the sponsor and sign a no-cost extension or amendment agreement.
- Procurement approval should be obtained before any expense agreement can be signed.
- Researcher to contact DRD (Prudence Clarke, clarkep@ufs.ac.za), who will advise on the most appropriate agreement.
- This draft agreement will then be shared with the external party for their consideration and input.
- When both parties agree on the contractual clauses, DRD will facilitate signatures in accordance with the delegation of authority.
- Researcher to contact DRD (Prudence Clarke, clarkep@ufs.ac.za), who will advise on the most appropriate agreement.
- Researcher to ensure that permits and approvals are obtained (where applicable) when entering into material transfer agreements (MTAs).
Contact us
Tebogo Machethe
Director: Research Contracts and Innovation
T: +27 51 401 2524
E: machethete@ufs.ac.za
Johannes Brill Building, First Floor, Bloemfontein Campus