Cost accounting standards guidance

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Eligibility for CAS exceptions

To be eligible for a CAS exception, a project must fall into one of the following categories:

  • A large, complex program such as a general clinical research center, primate center, program project, environmental research center, engineering research center, or other grant or contract that entails assembling and managing teams of investigators from a number of institutions.
  • A project that involves extensive data accumulation, analysis and entry, surveying, tabulation, cataloging, searching literature, and reporting (such as an epidemiological study, clinical trial, or retrospective clinical records study).
  • A project that requires making travel and meeting arrangements for large numbers of participants, such as a conference or seminar.
  • A project whose principal focus is the preparation and production of manuals or large reports, books, or monographs (excluding routine progress and technical reports).
  • A project that is geographically inaccessible to normal departmental administrative services, such as a research vessel, a radio astronomy project, or other research field site that is remote from campus.
  • An individual project requiring project-specific database management; individualized graphics or manuscript preparation; human or animal protocols; or multiple project-related investigator coordination and communications.
  • A project which is funded from non federal funds and where not expressly prohibited by the sponsor.

If none of these project categories apply, then the project does not qualify for a CAS exception.

If any of these project categories apply, then the project may qualify for a CAS exception for the following types of expenditures.

Common CAS exceptions

Administrative/clerical expenses
Computing devices (including accessories)
General supplies
Memberships and subscriptions
Other electronics
Phones
Postage

Research Advancement staff:  If you have questions regarding these determination guidelines, please contact RAHelp@asu.edu or the Proposal and Negotiation Team GCO assigned to the proposal.