How to Respond to FRAM Request

The Final Progress Report Additional Materials (FRAM) link provides a means for awardees to enter, review, route, and submit information in response to specific request(s) by the program official (PO) for additional information related to the Final RPPR.

NOTE: Only a signing official (SO) or a user with delegated report submit authority can submit the report; the program directory/principal investigator (PD/PI) can upload, preview, delete and save the closeout report submission package, but cannot complete the final step to submit.

While reviewing a submitted Final Programmatic Progress Report, the PO might determine that additional materials related to the submitted report are required. In this case, the PO submits a request for this information referred to as a FRAM request. When a FRAM request is made, the PI is notified via email with a description of the requested material and a FRAM task appears on the Closeout Status screen.

TIP: You can view the original request for information from the Status Information screen. The Closeout Final Report Additional Materials (FRAM) Request link located in Other Relevant Documents section of Status Information shows the original request.

Initiating Final Progress Report Additional Materials (FRAM)

Either the PI or SO can initiate the FRAM and attach a file, but only an SO can submit.

1. Log into eRA Commons as an SO or a PI and access the Closeout Status screen. To access the Closeout Status screen, see Accessing the Closeout Screen (SO and PI).
2. If a PO has requested additional material related to the Final Progress Report, the Closeout Submission Requirement column on Closeout Status screen lists "FRAM" as a task and the FRAM Update button appears in the Action column.
   
3. Click the FRAM Update link.

The Final Progress Report Additional Materials (FRAM) screen appears.

To upload one or more files in the FRAM Upload Additional Materials section:

1. Drag and drop file(s) in the "Drop Files Here..." area, or click the browse link and choose file(s) from your drive. The drop files area specifies how many files and what file types are allowed. For uploaded files, you can:
   • Click the Download icon  and the browser will open or download the file.
   • Click the Delete icon  to remove the file.
2. If you change your mind about this FRAM submission, and you want to discard it, click the Delete button at the bottom of the screen. This does not delete prior submissions.

To see what the FRAM submission includes:

1. First click the Save button at bottom of the screen.
2. Click the Preview button at the bottom of the screen. A PDF is downloaded by the browser.
3. Use the browser or another file to open the PDF, which contains a summary of files uploaded, person who uploaded, any revised outcome that was saved, and the contents of any files that were uploaded.

To save the FRAM submission package but not submit it: Click the Save button.

To submit the FRAM package to the awarding agency for their review:

1. Only SOs or those with delegated authority to submit reports can see the Submit button.
2. To finalize this FRAM submission package and submit it for agency review, click the Submit button (SO only).

After you submit the FRAM, a View action appears on Closeout Status, which you can click to view a PDF document containing all documents and submission details for the FRAM request. You can also view the FRAM submission on the Status Information screen under Other Relevant Documents.

The FRAM Update action remains until acceptance of the Final RPPR, enabling you to upload more files; however, you cannot make changes to files already submitted.

Additionally, an email notification is sent to both the SO who submitted the FRAM and to the PI of the grant. A separate notification is sent to the PO of the grant.