THIS INTERIM RPD WAIVER EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2021.

Original Issuance Date:  August 12, 2021

Expiration Date: December 31, 2021 

1. Interim Policy Purpose 

This interim policy action waives certain requirements of Regent Policy Document 13-1, General Contract Approval: Signature Authority and Approval, to allow the President of the UW System to execute grants from and contracts with private, profit-making organizations with a value of more than $1,000,000 which would otherwise require formal approval of the Board of Regents prior to execution. This interim policy action only applies to grants and contracts that are necessary to respond to immediate resource needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

2. Related System Administrative Policies 

UW System Administrative Policy 342, Extramural Support Administration 

3. Scope 

This interim policy action applies to contracts that would have required Board of Regent approval under Regent Policy Document 13-1, but relate to immediate needs arising from COVID-19. Contracts not ordinarily covered under Regent Policy Document 13-1 are not in scope for this interim policy action.  

4. Interim Policy Statement 

This interim policy suspends the following language of Regent Policy Document 13-1 for purposes of providing the UW System President authority to approve contracts and grants with private, for-profit organizations with a value greater than $1,000,000 related to COVID-19 that would otherwise require Board of Regents approval. 

Threshold for Formal Approval by the Board of Regents

Grants from and contracts with private, profit-making organizations with a value of more than $1,000,000 require formal approval by the Board of Regents prior to execution.    

Interpretation of Policy Waiver

Grants and contracts covered by this waiver would still be required to be reviewed by the Office of General Counsel prior to execution. 

The UW System President would still be permitted to exercise delegation authority to UW System Administration officials. 

The President may continue to delegate this interim signature authority to other UW System Administration officials.  

Any such interims action would continue to be reported to the Business and Finance Committee of the Board of Regents as part of the semi-annual reports on extramural gifts, grants, and contracts. 

This interim policy action does not constitute an expansion of delegated authority on entering into contracts. Any authority previously delegated under the existing terms of Regent Policy Document 13-1 remains in place. 

5. Supplemental Documents 

None listed.