Documenting contacts with manufacturers

As you deal with business people, it is essential that you deal with them in a business-like fashion. For one thing, that means you want to document your interactions. For another, it means that you should never over-commit your (or the VA) position.

Here are some things you'll want to record:

• Describe decisions and events that directly led to the contact.
  
  
• Describe the place, date, participants, and purpose of the contact. By date, keep track of multiple contacts with a firm.
  
  
• If applicable, obtain (and eventually file) any non-disclosure agreements made with the firm. Do this prior to divulging the details of the design.
  
  
• If applicable, describe any tentative agreements for cooperation and the further approvals or conditions to be met prior to making a final agreement. Describe exactly the negotiating position of the firm you contacted.
  
  
• If applicable, describe the final agreement and the date on which it will go into effect. Final agreements must be approved by the director of the RR&D Center and, in addition, approved by the VA central office or General Counsel.

Investigator

Transfer Officer

Center Director