TRAC projects funded by WSDOT are subject to guidelines determined by the state of Washington. Below are guidelines for the following research administration functions:
Budgets
Payroll
Equipment
Extension Requests
Travel
WSDOT Master Agreement
Budgets
Contact: Julie Angeley 206.543.3341
TRAC monitors all WSDOT budgets unless the contract agreement states otherwise.
Requests for budget extensions (with or without an increase in funds), supplements, and revisions must go through TRAC for WSDOT approval. The approval request must be signed by a university official.
If a researcher is in a UW department other than Civil Engineering or Electrical Engineering, the TRAC budget coordinator will request electronic access to the project’s financial information (including payroll) to monitor it.
Payroll
Contact: Malorie Stites 206.543.3337
TRAC requires a copy of all payroll appointments if salaries will be charged to TRAC projects.
Copies of hourly time sheets for TRAC budgets must be sent to TRAC.
Tuition Payments may be charged to WSDOT projects.
Equipment
Contact: Julie Angeley 206.543.3341
Equipment purchases must be approved by WSDOT, either as a line item in the proposal budget or through a subsequent email to Julie Angeley requesting approval.
Equipment acquired on a WSDOT project belongs to WSDOT. After the project closes, the equipment may be assigned to UW or nonUW research, contingent on approval from WSDOT via TRAC.
Extension Requests
Contact: Malorie Stites 206.543.3337
The following is the procedure for requesting an extension for a WSDOT contract:
- The PI and the Research Manager discuss the modification(e-mail or verbally), and come to a consensus on the change.
- The PI sends the formal request in writing (e-mail is OK) to the Research Manager. This can be done at the same time as the step above, if there are no issues to be resolved. The PI must include a cc: to TRAC (Malorie Stites) and the WSDOT Technical Monitor.
- The Research Manager approves the request for processing, and forwards it within the Research Office for processing.
- The Research Office verifies that the modification falls within the guidelines of the Master Agreement and that funding is available, etc.
- The Research Office prepares the Task Order modification (2 copies) and forwards them (by e-mail) to TRAC for approval and signature.
- TRAC prints two copies, has the TRAC Director and UW Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) sign them, and sends both to Office of Research & Library Services.
- The Research Director approves and signs both copies and returns one copy to TRAC.
At this point, the modification is complete and in place.
Travel
Contact: Malorie Stites 206.543.3337
Travel Requests
WSDOT requires approval for all out-of-state travel before the travel occurs and in addition to the project contract, unless the trip is specifically stated in the contract with dates, destination and cost per trip.
Requests for approval for out-of-state travel must be made by email to Malorie Stites at TRAC.
In the email request, state the destination, dates of travel, traveler’s name, an explanation of how the travel supports the research and a list of travel expenses (including car fare, food, lodging, conference fees and miscellaneous travel expenses).
Out-of-state towns that border Washington (not including Canada), do not require WSDOT approval.
Travel Reimbursement
A Travel Expense Worksheet must filled out either electronically or manually. Contact Malorie Stites (206.543.3337) to obtain the form, then return the completed form to her (MS 354802) with attached receipts.
WSDOT Master Contracts
TRAC’s work is governed by two contracts: the WSDOT Master Agreement (pdf) and an Interagency Agreement (pdf).