Subawards vs. Contracts: Distinctions and Implications

March 26, 2026

This webinar is included in the Federal Grants Training Membership.

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, 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.

The on-demand version of this webinar will be available for purchase one week after the conclusion of the live webinar. 

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:

  • Thoroughly understand the distinctions between subawards and contracts
  • Develop an ability to effectively evaluate whether a subaward or contract may be a better option when choosing between them
  • Understand the key compliance items applicable to subawards and contracts respectively
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 Certificate of Attendance
  • 1.50 CPE
Course opens: 
10/30/2025
Course expires: 
04/27/2026
Event starts: 
03/26/2026 - 1:00pm EDT
Event ends: 
03/26/2026 - 2:15pm EDT
Cost:
$185.00
Add to calendar: 

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

Participants can earn up to 1.50 CPE credits in Specialized Knowledge and Applications upon completion of all course requirements.

ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS FOR CPE CREDIT

If you purchase CPE credit for this webinar you must satisfy the following conditions in order to receive your certificate:

  1. Answer at least 5 of the polling questions during the webinar
  2. Complete the evaluation survey after the conclusion of the webinar or in the follow-up email

Upon completion of these requirements, we will email you your CPE Certificate within two (2) weeks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Prerequisites: None 
  • Target Audience: CEOs/Directors, Fiscal Staff, Compliance Officers and Staff, Program and Project Managers, Other Grants Management Staff
  • Advanced Preparation: None  
  • Program Level: All
  • Delivery Method: Group Internet Based

Feldesman LLP is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website www.nasbaregistry.org (formerly www.learningmarket.org).

 

Available Credit

  • 1.25 Certificate of Attendance
  • 1.50 CPE

Price

Cost:
$185.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Access to the recorded version of this webinar is included in your purchase.

You will have access to the recordings for 180 days after enrollment. Once posted to your account, you can view each 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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