The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is pleased to announce that the Subagreement Pre-Drafting Action & Response Certification (SPARC) is now available. SPARC is an online form designed to streamline the process for requesting subagreements actions and improve their timely execution. SPARC integrates with RAMSeS data and provides clear transparency and retention of subagreement requests. Effective today, SPARC replaces the Subagreement Initiation Portal (SIP) and SIP is no longer available. Please learn more from the SPARC highlights and resources below.
SPARC Process
Once a SPARC form is generated (either from a Sponsored Project Change Notification or a department requested change), the assigned OSP Contracting Officer will send the link to the department for review, updates if needed, and submission back to OSP for review and processing.
Tips for Efficient SPARC Submissions
- Ensure the most recent documentation is uploaded to RAMSeS and that the Subrecipient’s name is in the document name.
- Open every applicable document uploaded to RAMSeS to ensure all the information is correct and matches.
- Use a general email whenever possible for your department or subrecipient.
- Copy and paste email addresses to ensure accuracy.
- Always include detailed notes! The more information that is provided up front the smoother the review will be.
Checking the Status of SPARCs
SPARC Requests without Sponsored Project Change Notifications
An amendment SPARC can be initiated by the department for actions that do not create a Sponsored Project Change Notification (SPCN). Common scenarios to request an amendment outside of an SPCN include, but are not limited to:
- Change to Scope of Work
- Change of Subrecipient Principal Invesitgator
- Early Termination
- Carry-Forward when sponsor prior approval is not required
- Deobligation with no Budget Revision
- Additional Terms and Conditions
- Changes to Reporting Requirements
- Subrecipient Entity Name Updates
Amendment SPARCs for the above referenced scenarios are requested by emailing OSPsubs@unc.edu and should follow the instructions found here. NOTE: Only amendment SPARCs that are not autogenerated from a SPCN should be requested via email.
Resources
- OSP SPARC Webpage
- SPARC Department User Guidance
- 2023 Symposium SPARC: The New & Improved SIP Recording
- 2023 Symposium SPARC: The New & Improved SIP Presentation
For any questions related to specific subagreements, please contact OSPSubs@unc.edu. For all other general sponsored program inquiries, please contact SponsoredPrograms@unc.edu.