CBTIR RFP-16-01 FAQ
Revision 1 - May 5, 2016
Q.1: When is this proposal due?
A1: The proposal is due by 7pm (Central Time) on May 25, 2016
Q.2: When will awards be announced?
A.2: Awards will be announced by Fall 2016.
Q.3: Where will I submit my final proposal?
A.3: Proposals must be submitted to cbtir-rfp@uh.edu - You will receive an email confirming your
submission. CBTIR reserves the right to amend the method of submission before the closing date.
This RFP and all subsequent amendments (if any) are posted at the following URL:
http://www.uh.edu/cbtir/funding-ops/rfp-16-01 and/or can be requested by email to cbtirrfp@uh.edu .
Q.4: Can the funds be directly awarded to independent contractors?
A.4: See Answers to Questions 6-8.
Q.5: Should I include IDC in my budget?
A.5: Yes, the IDC costs should be included in the total budget cost. The applicant must use a
federally negotiated approved rate. If the applicant does not have a federal approved rate, they
may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC), which may
be used indefinitely at the proposal stage. There is no other limitation to the rate.
Q.6: Who is allowed to serve as a PI? Does it need to be someone from an institution in
the U.S.?
A.6: All applications must be from an accredited U.S. college, U.S. university, or an organization
that meets the definition of nonprofit in OMB Circular A-122, relocated to 2 CFR Part 230.
However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code
that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
are not eligible to apply. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) or
laboratories funded by federal agencies are also not eligible to apply. FFRDC employees may
cooperate or collaborate with eligible applicants within the limits imposed by applicable legislation,
regulations, and policies, are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role, and may not
receive salaries or in other ways augment their agency's appropriations through awards made by
this program.
Q.7: Are proposed team members allowed to be from international institutions?
A.7: Institution partnerships with foreign institutions are permitted, but may require special
justification and approval from CBTIR.
Q.8: Can applicants request funds to compensate consultants? Do consultants have to be
associated with an institution in the U.S.?
A.8: Applicants may request funds to compensate external consultants as long as the consultants’
effort is both essential and supplementary to that of the applicant’s. The applicant must show that
selection of the consultant was conducted in a manner that provided full and open competition
consistent with the standards set forth in 2 CFR part 200.
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Q.9: How large of a team is required to apply?
A.9: There are no restrictions on the size of the team.
Q.10: Is there a limit to how many proposals may be submitted by an applicant (PI or
Institution)?
A.10: There is no limit, as long as the proposals are substantially different.
Q.11: Is there any restriction on where the data collection can take place (inside or outside
the US)?
A.11: Data collection can only take place in locations that meet the necessary research safety
standards, whether inside or outside the US. Researcher safety is a paramount priority, and
researchers who propose to collect data in environments that involve inherent risks must
document the development and implementation of appropriate safety plans.
Foreign travel (for data collection outside the US) must be approved by DHS in advance and in
writing.
Q.12: Are immigrants from Mexico included in the definition of Central American
immigrants?
A.12: No, Mexico is not considered a Central American Region country of origin.
Q.13: My proposal requires compliance assurance(s) (e.g., it involves human subjects).
When should I submit for IRB review?
A.13: As soon as practicable. Projects involving human subjects research will need prior approval
by the DHS Compliance Assurance Program Office (CAPO) before work can begin. The required
documentation is as follows:
• IRB Approval Letter;
• IRB-approved study protocol;
• IRB-approved consent forms; and
• Federalwide Assurance (FWA) number
Any projects involving biometrics or social media will also need a privacy review (this is separate
from the IRB process). If the PI has a formal privacy review process at his/her organization, he/she
can use that process. If the PI does not have a formal privacy review process, he/she can use the
DHS privacy compliance process.
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