Sponsor regulations are varied and sometimes complicated. To allow for informal decisions concerning expenditures, it is essential that the principal investigators or project director be provided with as much assistance and information as possible. The Department of Contract Administration is in a very delicate position. Sponsoring officials expect guidelines to be followed closely. However, the principal investigator or project director expect the freedom to spend on a project as he or she sees fit, while University officials expect no mistakes on either side.
Many federal publications are available now on the web sites of the federal agency or sponsor.