(Recorded Webinar) Subawards vs. Contracts: Distinctions and Implications

This webinar is included in the Federal Grants Training Membership.

Duration: 75 minutes
Recorded on: 03/26/26

Federal grantees often propose to incorporate partners to support award-funded activities.  In determining whether to structure their legal agreements with “partners” under federal awards as procurement contracts or subawards, grantees must navigate critical distinctions in federal grant regulations that may counsel for or against one type or the other, especially in close-call scenarios where the sub-entity is furnishing services or effort that has a direct programmatic purpose.  This training will address the distinctions between the two types of legal instruments, the benefits offered by each, respective risks and ways to mitigate them, and the distinct compliance regimes applicable to federally funded subawards and procurement contracts respectively.

Join Feldesman partner Phillip Escoriaza for this webinar, where we will work our way through the regulatory definitions of each, including the factors at 2 C.F.R. § 200.331, discuss ways in which those factors may prove inadequate at times, and offer additional considerations that will generally prove helpful to your analysis and decision-making. From there, we will discuss pros and cons of each type of agreement, and work through close-call scenarios from both the perspective of “what do we think the agreement is” and “what do we want it to be,” ensuring consistency of approach and compliance with award conditions.

Target Audience

  • CEOs/Directors
  • Fiscal Staff
  • Compliance Officers and Staff
  • Program and Project Managers
  • Other Grants Management Staff

Learning Objectives

After this webinar, you will be able to:

  1. Thoroughly understand the distinctions between subawards and contracts
  2. Develop an ability to effectively evaluate whether a subaward or contract may be a better option when choosing between them
  3. Understand the key compliance items applicable to subawards and contracts respectively
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 Certificate of Attendance
Course opens: 
10/30/2025
Course expires: 
04/01/2028
Cost:
$185.00

Phillip A. Escoriaza

Phillip Escoriaza is a Partner in the firm’s Federal Grants and Health Care practice groups. A native of Puerto Rico, Phillip’s bilingual, nationwide practice serves non-profit organizations, municipalities, local government agencies, and other federal grantees. Prior to joining Feldesman Tucker, Phillip ran a practice from San Juan which spanned corporate, business, public policy, government and contract law, and included contested matters and appeals before state and federal courts.  [Full Bio]

Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer Badge

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Read more about maintaining an attendance record in our FAQs.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 Certificate of Attendance

Price

Cost:
$185.00
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Access Period

Recorded webinars are available for 180 days after the date of purchase or date of the webinar. Once posted to your account, you can view this webinar anytime on-demand during the access period identified in your purchase confirmation. For additional information on viewing and accessing webinars, view our full terms and conditions here.

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Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be provided for recorded webinars. Feldesman Training Solutions can transfer a registration to someone else within your organization or, provided you have not already viewed the webinar, transfer the registration to another on-demand program. Where the registration fee for the new webinar is higher, you must also pay the difference between the original course and the new course registration fee at the time of transfer. Administrative fees may also apply. If your organization purchased a webinar under the account of a staff member who no longer works for your organization, please contact us. View our full policy on refunds and cancellations here.

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