Hi! I’m a PI at a research institution who is partnering with a small business to put in an STTR.
When we completed our subcontract paperwork with the university, they issued us their standard subcontract letter. This letter stated that they agree to be a partner in the research and will abide by all of the rules of the particular PA.
The university did not include the very narrow language that is specified in the SF424 instructions for the consortium and contractual agreements section. When we asked about this, the university said it was not necessary to do so in that particular letter. Instead, they generated a separate letter that said the proportions of work would be done by the respective parties (30% university, 40% business) that we have included as a letter of support.
As we are preparing to submit, we are concerned that the contract agreement from the university is insufficient. Does anyone have insight or experience with what these letters need to look like from the single partnering institution? I would appreciate any suggestions on templates for these letters as well.