Sponsoring organization
The plan sponsor being audited, which must submit the universes and supporting documentation to CMS.
The sponsoring organization is the audited entity throughout the protocol. It must submit universe tables comprehensive of all contracts and PBPs named in the audit engagement letter, and it is evaluated for compliance with its Part C contract requirements. Its own decisions, notices and effectuations are what the universe fields record.
Sources: ODAG protocol, Universe Submissions, PDF p. 15; Supporting Documentation Submissions, PDF p. 47; CDAG protocol, Program Audit Data Request, Universe Submissions, p. 15; Audit Field Work Phase, p. 59; FA protocol, Universe Submissions, PDF p. 8; record layouts (Contract ID, Cardholder ID), PDF p. 11; SNPCC protocol, Program Audit Data Request and Audit Field Work Phase (PDF pp. 8-13); CPE protocol, Universe Submissions, p. 12; compliance standards 1.1-1.7, pp. 5-11.