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OMB Circulars

The following series of circulars is from the website of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Please contact OSP or the NIU Office of Grants Fiscal Administration if you have questions concerning these circulars.

A-21 Cost Principles for Educational Institutions, dated 10/27/98

A-110 Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations dated 11/19/93, further amended 09/30/99 

A-133 Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations, dated 06/24/97

Appendix A: Data Collection Form (Form SF-SAC) (PDF)

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
All government procurement (contracts) actions are subject to the FAR to some extent.  The FAR represents the policy and procedure manual for federal contract officers on how to construct a contract. Most federal contracts incorporate a number of FAR clauses that must be reviewed by OSP before accepting the agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
The CFR is a codification of the general, permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies in the federal government.

Export Controls

Export controls are federal laws that regulate the shipment of goods or the release of technological data to foreign nationals or foreign countries.  The primary regulations controlling export activities include the following:

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
The ITAR, implemented by the Department of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) under the U.S. Department of State, control items listed on the U.S. Munitions List.  The ITAR covers both research on defense articles and training, or assistance related to the manufacture or production of defense articles. See 22 CFR 121.1.  a description of items listed on the U.S. Munitions List.

Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
The EAR, implemented by the Bureau of Industry and Security under the U.S. Department of Commerce regulates the export and re-export of most commercial items.  Many times, such items are referred to as “dual-use” – items that have both commercial and military or proliferation applications. Commercial items without an obvious military use may also be subject to the EAR.  Other U.S. government agencies regulate more specialized exports, for example, the U.S. Department of State has authority over defense articles and defense services (see ITAR above).

Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC)
The OFAC, a part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, administers and enforces boycotts that have been imposed against specific countries.  The scope of such boycotts varies and they are subject to change. Summaries of all countries currently subject to a boycott are available on the OFAC site list above.

Foreign Travel

International travel supported by federal funds must be conducted in accordance with federal regulations.

Fly American Act
The Fly America Act, 49 U.S.C. App. 1517, as implemented in the Comptroller General's guidelines, Decision B-138942, March 31, 1981, requires Federal employees and their dependents, consultants, contractors, grantees, and others performing United States Government financed foreign air travel to travel by U.S. flag air carriers.