Determining Contractual Arrangements

Your research project may need to include contractors, consultants, or subrecipients. Making the determination between using a subaward and a contract for services can be difficult. Compare and contrast which option is appropriate:

When to use a subrecipient	When to use a contract for services*
Work is being performed on behalf of an institutional appointment.	Services are being provided as part of an independent contract or work for hire.
A collaborator performs part of the project scope.	The vendor provides their goods and services to many different purchasers, not just for this project.
One is chosen for intellectual and research expertise.	Vendor operates in a competitive market.
A collaborator is responsible for compliance and flow-down reporting requirements.	Vendor is not responsible for compliance issues nor reporting requirements.
Your collaborator has input into the decision making process for the project, including the scope.	Vendor responds to specifications.
Collaborators are authors or co-authors.	Not applicable.
Collaborators who present papers or results of the research at conferences.	Not applicable.
Collaborators seek patent protection for inventions.	Not applicable.
Patent protection and/or intellectual property rights will be retained for the collaborator's work.	Services are a work for hire and include no intellectual property rights.

* University procurement thresholds and procedures apply.