date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:44:12 +0100 from: "Meardon Fiona Miss \(RBS\)" subject: FW: Proposed Renewal of U.S. Department of Energy Grant No. to: "Jones Philip Prof \(ENV\)" , "Darch Janice Dr \(SCI\)" Dear Phil and Janice I've received some further queries from Michael Hill at US DoE which are below. I should be able to work out point 1 (but please let me know if there's anything you think I need to know or which will be helpful) but I do need your input for point 2 please. I'll need to refer point 3 elsewhere but, unfortunately, I think the key two people are on leave till next week. with best wishes Fiona =-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Fiona Meardon (working hours 0830 to 1630, Mon-Fri) Research Contracts Associate, Research & Business Services, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ phone 01603 591479, fax 01603 591550 email f.meardon@uea.ac.uk web [1]http://www.uea.ac.uk/business Please remember - when corresponding with RBS about a research project, be sure to include a project reference code, or the formal title. =-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This email may contain privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and delete all copies. Get research specific funding alerts by email, visit www.ResearchResearch.com ______________________________________________________________________________________ From: Hill, Michael [mailto:Michael.Hill@ch.doe.gov] Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:28 PM To: Meardon Fiona Miss (RBS) Subject: RE: Proposed Renewal of U.S. Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER62601 (Phil Jones' Project - UEA Ref R14702) Hi Fiona, I have reviewed what you have submitted in full. Upon this review, I've determined I still need you to address the following: 1. Please briefly explain why Haylock's salary rate increases so much between years: 13.6% from year one to two and 7.1% from year two to year three. It appears to be more than just a cost-of-living inflation adjustment. For example, is a promotion expected? 2. Publication Costs - you indicate that these are based on past years' charges and an assumption of a similar number. But the amounts are significantly higher than you budgeted in past years for this project. You've budgeted between $6,000 USD and $8,000 USD for the next three years. For the previous three years you budgeted between $4,000 and $4,400. It is recognized that changes in the exchange rate might account for about 10% of the 60% increase and inflation might count for another 10%. By why is the increase so much? What changes in the project are leading to the increased estimate? 3. Indirect Costs - I am now satisfied that your costs appear to be based on a nationally approved indirect costing system. But I still cannot tell at all what percentages were applied to what bases to come up with the amount that you included in the DOE budgets. For instance, how did you calculate $82,794 for year one. Please explain the math for each of the three years and show how these calculations relate to the information you provided me on July 20^th. If you can adequately address these three items, we should be about ready to award the modification to the grant. Thanks, Michael D. Hill Contract Specialist U.S. Department of Energy Chicago Operations Office (ACQ) 9800 South Cass Avenue Argonne, IL 60439 Phone: (630) 252-2338 Fax: (630) 252-5045 e-mail: michael.hill@ch.doe.gov ___________________________________________________________________________________________ From: Meardon Fiona Miss (RBS) [mailto:F.Meardon@uea.ac.uk] Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 9:19 AM To: Hill, Michael Cc: Jones Philip Prof (ENV); Darch Janice Dr (SCI) Subject: RE: Proposed Renewal of U.S. Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER62601 (Phil Jones' Project - UEA Ref R14702) Dear Michael I'd be grateful if you could give me an idea when we may hear regarding the renewal of this project as I am concerned that time is passing and that delays will impact on the project. Please note that the UEA will be shut on 27 August for a public holiday and I will be out of the office for the rest of that week. with thanks Fiona