MCNet Discussion Page

28/06/06

After a rapid start, the final stages of the contract validation are really dragging on. The project officer sent some requested amendments to the Description of Work. Mostly too minor to even trouble you with, but the main one is a more detailed set of research milestones, with at least one per year. Have a look at page 17 of the following and let me know (urgently) if you disagree with any of them.

• MCnetdescription_final.pdf: Final version of the Description of Work

07/06/06

One more item was missing - I had not got the A6 form signed and stamped. It has been done now, I hope still in time to go in the first batch for signing - I am waiting for confirmation.

• stampedA6.pdf: Form A6 stamped by bank

02/06/06

I have resubmitted the CPFs according to the changes requested and a whole pile of letters explaining and justifying our policy on this that and the other. These were requested by Monday June 5th at the latest in order for MCnet to be included in the first batch of networks for ratification by the commission.

• MCRTN2000_39b_vA.xlt: Latest version of the CPFs
• BilyalovLetter_Dresden.doc: Letter about Dresden
• BilyalovLetter_management.doc: Letter about management
• BilyalovLetter_stipends.doc: Letter about stipends
• BilyalovLetter_changes.doc: Letter detailing all changes since the second round proposal

01/06/06

The comments are already back on our CPFs! There are a few minor issues to follow up:

• Our interpretation of the rule on Travel Allowances is not the same as Brussels'. They are not normally paid for periods of employment of less than 12 months. Must be fixed.
• Stipends for EST contracts of 12 months or more: the EU rule is that this can only be justified in cases in which the institutional rules or national laws require it and not, for example, to reduce costs; in all other cases a salary must be paid. Michael Browne from UCL's European Research and Development Office is in direct contact with our Project Officer to establish exactly what form of justification is needed. Since UCL already has several hundred FP6 Marie Curie ESTs on stipends, it should not be a problem. May also need some action from Durham in the end.
• After the above corrections, some further modifications may be necessary to respect the 65%, 40%, 10% and 7% rules. Needs checking anyway.
• More detail and justification of the management costs and policy towards audit costs is needed. Mike to provide.
• Slight subtractions from the overheads column requested, to ensure that the total EU contribution is a whole number of euros!
• A technical error in filling in the milestones and deliverables table needs to be corrected (months should be counted from the beginning of the project, not the beginning of the year).
• We 'forgot' (i.e. I didn't notice that it was necessary) to choose whether to be audited every 12 or 24 months. CERN will only accept 12 monthly audits.
• A formal letter needs to be written explaining all changes since the second round proposal.

We are still waiting for detailed comments on the Description of Work.

26/05/06

I've submitted the Contract Preparation Forms to Brussels. Here they are...

• MCRTN2000_39b_v9.xlt: The CPF forms
• MCnetdescription.pdf: The Description of Work
• signedpages.pdf: Scanned copies of the signed pages

In case they are ever needed, here are:

• rtn_hand.pdf: The RTN handbook
• wp_feb2006_en.pdf: Work programme
• 035606-2-MCnet.pdf: Evaluation Summary Report
• FrameworkforNegotiation_MCNET.doc: Framework for Negotiation
• RTN_Neg_Gudlnes_May_06FinalVersionforFP6_2005_Mob_1forCORDIS1Display.pdf: Negotiation Guidance Notes