A cooperative agreement is a hybrid between a contract and a grant. While its purpose is typically similar to a grant in that it focuses on increased scientific knowledge, the sponsor takes a more active role as a partner to the research, rather than just a funder.
Strategic alliances are cooperative agreements between potential or actual competitors. The term is often used to embrace a variety of agreements between actual or potential competitors including cross-shareholding deals, licensing arrangements, formal joint ventures, and informal cooperative arrangements.
FAR only governs contracts with the agencies of the Executive branch. Contracts with the Legislative branch and the judicial branch come under separate regulations. Contracts with the Legislative branch (i.e., Congress) are governed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
The FGCAA specifically prohibits federal agencies from using Cooperative Agreements to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the federal government. This distinction is what separates Cooperative Agreements from “procurement contracts” or “acquisitions” bound by the FAR.
Requirements for Companies to Be FAR Compliant The FAR applies to companies with U.S. federal contracts or subcontracts for goods and services (other than commercial off-the-shelf items) to be acquired outside the U.S. with an estimated value of more than $500,000 USD.
The FAR is the set of rules governing the federal government's purchasing process, it is jointly issued by DoD, GSA, and NASA and applies to most agencies in the Executive Branch.
A cooperating broker agreement is an agreement frequently used in the real estate industry. A cooperating broker is a broker who is not the listing broker. However, the cooperating broker finds a buyer for the listed property.