Organizational Prior Approval System (OPAS)
The Organizational Prior Approval System-OPAS is used to 1) establish an index prior to receipt of the formal award document, and request institutional approval for 2) pre-award spending. Prior to completing an OPAS for either of these two options, work with OSP award team via awards@umontana.edu for assistance.
Additionally, in some cases, the OPAS may also be used if the institution has expanded authority to 3) request budget changes, 4) add carry forward; and 5) request a no cost time extension. See the Federal-Wide Research Terms and Conditions (RTC), Appendix A for prior approvals. This matrix details a limited number of award management actions that would normally require agency prior approval but for which the federal agency has granted such authority to the institution.
Spending on an OPAS index prior to award receipt may not exceed 20% of the expected award amount or $100,000, whichever is greater, provided expenditures do not exceed the expected award amount. Any increase in the spending limits must be approved by the VPR and dean/unit director in writing. To make this request, please email vpr@umontana.edu, your dean or unit director, and copy the OSP Director.
OPAS indexes setup prior to award receipt requires PI supervisor approval, and an alternative index to be charged should an award not be received. As director/chair/dean/executive officer, these supervisors accept fiscal responsibility for 1) any pre-award expenditures or non-cancelable obligations if the award fails to materialize; or, 2) if the award effective date is delayed and costs are incurred outside the 90-day pre-award period; or, 3) the anticipated award document is not finalized within six months of the OPAS index request.