Your HHS-ICAS Proposal, Done for You
Award Advisors prepares your organization’s indirect cost rate proposal and supports the process through submission in ICAS—for one fixed fee.
No hourly billing for proposal preparation. No surprise professional fees. No complicated qualification process.
ICAS Consultant Access
Award Advisors is credentialed to serve as a consultant within ICAS.
Extensive Indirect Cost Experience
Our team has prepared more than 250+ indirect cost rate proposals across federal agencies.
Fixed Fee Through Submission
Your stated fee covers proposal preparation and support through submission in ICAS.
Simple, Upfront Pricing
Pricing is based solely on your organization’s total annual expenditures and the engagement term you select. The fixed fee covers proposal preparation and support through submission in ICAS, regardless of the number of indirect cost rates included in the proposal.
Under $1 Million
For organizations with less than $1 million in total annual expenditures.
One year. No long-term commitment.
Save 10%
Save 15%
$1 Million to Under $10 Million
For organizations with at least $1 million but less than $10 million in total annual expenditures.
One year. No long-term commitment.
Save 10%
Save 15%
$10 Million to $100 Million
For organizations with at least $10 million and no more than $100 million in total annual expenditures.
One year. No long-term commitment.
Save 10%
Save 15%
More Than $100 Million in Annual Expenditures?
Organizations with more than $100 million in total annual expenditures receive a custom fixed-price quote.
Contact Us
Multi-year engagements are billed annually at the discounted annual rate stated in the engagement agreement. Post-submission agency review, revisions, meetings, and negotiation support are available separately at Award Advisors’ standard hourly rate when requested.
What Award Advisors Handles
Review of financial records, prior indirect cost rate information, award documents, and other relevant materials provided by your organization
Identification of applicable cost pools, allocation bases, exclusions, and adjustments
Preparation of indirect cost rate calculations and supporting schedules
Preparation or updating of required narratives and supporting documentation
Preparation of the draft proposal for your organization’s review
Revisions based on client feedback and available supporting documentation
Finalization of the indirect cost proposal package
Support through submission in ICAS
What We Need From You
To complete the proposal efficiently, your organization will provide:
- Complete, accurate financial records, and supporting documentation
- Prior indirect cost rate proposals and agreements, when applicable
- Timely responses to questions and requests for support
- Review and approval of the completed proposal package
Ready to Hand Off Your Next ICAS Proposal?
Request Your Engagement Agreement
Select your pricing and provide the information below. Award Advisors will prepare and email the engagement agreement for electronic signature.
Contact Us
Information submitted through this form will be used to prepare the requested engagement agreement and communicate with you regarding Award Advisors’ ICAS services.
Prefer to Speak With Us First?
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute introductory call. We will explain the fixed-fee process, answer your questions, and help you identify the appropriate expenditure tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the fixed fee determined?
The fee is based solely on your organization’s total annual expenditures and the engagement term selected. We find that larger organizations typically require more complex ICPs.
Does the number of indirect cost rates affect the fee?
No. The fixed fee applies regardless of the number of rates included in the proposal.
Do we have to schedule a call first?
No. Organizations ready to proceed may select their pricing and request an engagement agreement directly.
Does the fixed fee include agency negotiation?
No. The fixed fee covers preparation through submission. Post-submission agency questions, revisions, meetings, and negotiation support are available separately at Award Advisors’ standard hourly rate when requested.
When does the engagement begin?
The engagement begins after the agreement is signed and the initial payment is received.
How are multi-year engagements billed?
Each service year is billed separately at the discounted annual rate stated in the engagement agreement.
Is approval of the proposed rate guaranteed?
No. Award Advisors prepares and supports submission of the proposal, but the cognizant agency retains authority to review, adjust, negotiate, approve, or reject proposed rates.
Who is responsible for the information included in the proposal?
Your organization remains responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information it provides and for approving the final proposal before submission.
Can our auditor prepare our indirect cost proposal?
You should not assume that your Single Audit firm can also prepare the proposal. Under 2 CFR 200.509(b), an auditor that prepares an indirect cost proposal or cost allocation plan cannot perform the required audit when the organization recovered more than $1 million in indirect costs during the prior year. The restriction applies to the proposal’s base year and subsequent years in which the resulting rate agreement is used.
Award Advisors is an independent consulting firm and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.