Question 12:
Do we need to follow the travel/per diem allowable expenses from the gsa.gov/perdiem website?
Answer 12:
Each organization must follow the regulations applicable to their specific type of entity. For-profit entities (and those non-profit entities that do not have an established travel policy) will follow the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). As such, GSA established per diem rates should be used when preparing an application. FTR can be found at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104790. Per Diem rates can be found at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287. Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and most Nonprofit Organizations use their entities' established travel regulations.
Question 14:
It seems the SSL R&D Workshop was 3 days this year (Feb 1 – 3 ) and the Peer Reviews were on average 2 days. Is it required to stay for the complete duration of these workshops/meeting…or should we just budget a 1 day stay? Please advise as to budget 3 days for the R&D Workshop and 2 for the Peer Review.
Answer 14:
It is the expectation of the SSL program that you would participate in the full duration of the annual workshop where practical. A main goal of the program is networking. As such, you should make yourself available. Don't forget to add travel on the front and rear of the meeting as necessary.
Regarding the Peer Review, your actual participation is only a couple of hours. You will not be asked participate in other sessions. However, to be safe, you should plan 2 days total to account for potential travel.
Question 20:
In the FAQs Question 8, the response is “You should complete a SF424A for each year of the project as well as a cumulative SF 424A for the entire project”. Does that mean for a two year program we would have 3 424A forms? In the instructions attached to the form it says that when applying for assistance which requires Federal authorization in annual or other funding period increments, Sections A, B, C. D should provide the budget for the first year, and section E should present the need for Federal assistance in the subsequent budget periods. That seems like all will fit on the one form. Please clarify how a 2-year program should be done.
Answer 20:
Yes, a two year award would contain 3 (three) SF 424A forms, including one for each budget period and a cumulative. The budget forecasting information in Sections D&E is used to monitor federal cash needs throughout the duration of the project and should reflect the cash needs for the time period for which the form is being completed.
Question 35:
Please advise on the definition of Color Control (SDCM) and the definition of the scale used of a Current value of 7 compared to 4.
Answer 35:
SDCM, commonly referred to as MacAdam Ellipse, stands for Standard Deviation of Color Matching. It defines color control on a chromaticity diagram and defines the perceivable changes in color. In the case of the Manufacturing Roadmap, the current technology status is 7 standard deviations (or steps). The target is to move towards 4 standard deviations by 2015. 3 standard deviations (or steps) is generally considered to be slightly perceivable by the human eye.