Research Greenhouse Complex
PO Box 6013
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
928-523-9103 voice
Philip.Patterson@nau.edu
FINAL SERVICE CENTER RATES AND PROCEDURES
RESEARCH GREENHOUSE COMPLEX
8/8/2013
During this past fiscal year, Research Greenhouse Complex has completed a review of its operating costs
and rate setting process. Working in conjunction with the Comptroller’s Office, the greenhouse has
determined its rates for FY14. This is an important step in ensuring compliance with federal guidelines,
especially with regard to setting appropriate rates, and in bringing rates in line with the operating costs
of the facility.
As a result of this review, new rates were approved to go into effect 8/8/13 for all customers of the
greenhouse with the exception of current/continuation projects and projects for which we have already
submitted a bid.
FY 14 Rates
The tables below outline the new rates that were calculated based on use of supplies and time allocated
to activity by container type for our most frequently grown container types and species at the
greenhouse. The fees below are for the period of: (August 8, 2013 – June 30, 2014) and will be
reevaluated yearly at minimum and more often if needed. We will advise all PIs on incoming projects
that they should plan to include a 3-5% annual increase to accommodate rate increases.
Rates are categorized by internal users and external users, with external users being divided into “public
service” and “research” categories; these two categories have different indirect cost rates, and the
determination as to which category a project falls into will be made based on the NSF definition of
“research” and in consultation with the Comptroller’s office.
Internal users are those users who are NAU faculty, staff, affiliates, and/or students who are paying for
greenhouse services with funds existing at the university in NAU accounts.
External users are investigators or entities (private, corporate, academic, federal, state or local
government) who will pay for greenhouse services using a check, credit card, or cash.
container
type
Activity
FY14
Internal
Rates
FY14
External
Rates Public
Service
FY14
External
Rates Research
Tinus
Plant Prep
0.78
1.02
1.17
D-40 Collar
Plant Prep
0.83
1.08
1.24
D-60 Collar
Plant Prep
1.33
1.74
1.99
D-60 Rack
Plant Prep
1.31
1.72
1.96
Short One
Plant Prep
1.69
2.21
2.53
Tall-One
Plant Prep
2.77
3.63
4.14
Monthly
Bench Rental
10.97
14.36
16.40
Rates are charged based on project initiation costs for labor and materials. Bench rental rates are
applied monthly, and include basic greenhouse maintenance items and labor. Plant care is included for
the first six months. After six months labor and supplies will be tracked and billed at $19.00 per hour.
Labor will be billed in 15 minute increments.
If greenhouse activities (e.g., watering, plant care, research procedures) are performed by someone
other than greenhouse staff, the project may incur a bench rental only cost, or may incur a bench rental
plus set-up fee. Under certain conditions, investigators may provide their own supplies and labor. In
these cases a space use fee will be applied based on square footage used (bench rental). These
arrangements will be made on a case by case basis with the Greenhouse Manager.
Use of storage fees: Under certain circumstances a use of space fee may be charged to greenhouse
users. Users with current projects will be limited to storage of supplies and material needed for that
project. If an investigator is storing supplies at the Research Greenhouse Complex but does not have an
active project, they will be charged for space used.
Greenhouse Complex storage fee: Storage at the greenhouse complex will be limited to supplies and
materials needed for active projects. Storage bins are 6’ x 11’, and storage will be charged per bin (not
by partial bins). Fee per bin is $35.64 per month or $427.68 per year.
Differential spending account and indirect cost
A differential spending account will be established to hold indirect cost funds from external clients.
Deposits from externally funded projects will be made initially into the service center local account
(1880090 F48) under revenue code 551000. The indirect cost portion—less the 8% Administrative
Overhead Fee—will be transferred to the new differential spending account as “transfers out/in”. The
8% Administrative Overhead Fee will be taken from the service center local account.
Other procedures
Purchase orders and other projects for external clients will be reviewed by the Comptroller’s Office to
verify that these projects are appropriately channeled through the service center (versus OGCS).
Inventory of new containers, labels, and soil products will be conducted yearly to inform the annual rate
evaluation process.
Billing of all clients will be done quarterly, with the exception of smaller or short duration projects
(which will be billed upon completion).
A 60-day fund balance will be calculated based on prior year expenditures for personnel, operations,
and services.