THE UW HAS IMPLEMENTED A NEW EQUIPMENT CAPITALIZATION THRESHOLD

After extensive consultation with our campus partners, UW’s Office of Research and UW Finance & Facilities have made the decision to increase the University’s existing equipment threshold. Effective July 1st, 2016, the new threshold increased from $2,000 to $5,000.

Learn More

Implementation

Effective July 1, 2016, the University of Washington’s equipment capitalization threshold increased from $2,000 to $5,000. This change applies to both purchased and fabricated equipment and to furniture. In order to minimize the impact on the research community, the threshold increase will be implemented in phases.

Anticipated Impact

The driving force behind this change is a significant reduction in both faculty and staff administrative burden at all three campuses. Over 40,000 items, representing 65% of UW’s total inventory, will no longer require physical inventory. The time and effort currently spent tracking these lower value assets is significant. Additionally, this will align the UW’s capitalization threshold with Federal and State thresholds of $5,000 and this should also help reduce confusion when dealing with sponsors. This change will allow UW faculty and staff more time to focus on the important teaching, research and public service for which the UW is recognized around the world, and put us in alignment with all of our peers. Due to the fact that facilities and administrative costs will now be assessed on equipment in the $2,000-$5,000 range, the total costs for such equipment purchased on grants will increase. However, it was our assessment as well as that of our campus advisors that overall the cost savings from implementing this change outweigh the disadvantages.

Sponsored Projects

Existing Awards and Proposals approved prior to May 1, 2016:

The $2,000 threshold will continue to apply to existing funding.  The $2,000 threshold will also continue to apply to non-competing renewals.  In addition, funding received in response to proposals with an EGC-1 approval date prior to May 1, 2016 will continue to have the $2,000 threshold apply, even if the award has a start date of 7/1/2016 or later, to accommodate the use of the lower threshold in budgeting.

Proposals for New, Competing Renewals & Supplements approved on or after May 1, 2016:

Proposals for new, competing renewal, and supplemental funding with an EGC-1 approval date on or after May 1, 2016 will be subject to the new $5,000 threshold. Budgets submitted with these proposals must categorize items with an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more and a useful life exceeding one year as equipment. Indirect cost (F&A) must be calculated on all non-capital equipment/supplies with an acquisition cost under $5,000.

Non-Sponsored Budgets

Purchase Orders fully executed prior to July 1, 2016:

The purchase order date will determine which threshold will apply. The $2,000 threshold will apply in cases where a purchase order has been fully executed (EI or BPO number issued) prior to July 1, 2016, with the equipment object code “06” regardless of when the equipment is paid for and/or received.  Purchase orders executed on or after July 1, 2016 will be subject to the new $5,000 threshold.

As we approach July, we will provide additional details on the implementation process and FAQ’s. We would like to thank all of our campus partners (Faculty Council on Research, the Research Advisory Board, Associate Deans for Research and Post-Award Administrative Advisory Group) who participated in the decision making process. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to either of us. Thank you.

 

Mary Lidstrom                                  Sue Camber

Vice Provost for Research                Associate Vice President for Research & Student Accounting

Office of Research                             Finance & Facilities

lidstrom@uw.edu                              scamber@uw.edu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

View All

PowerPoint Slides from the Equipment Threshold Change Training Session (06/29/16)
 

Contact Information

Equipment Inventory Office (EIO)
For questions related to equipment management, Oasis changes, physical inventory, depreciation and purchase of new equipment 

4300 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 300 (Office Hours:  8am - 5pm)
Box 354966
Seattle, WA  98105
Phone: (206) 543-4663
Email: eio@uw.edu

Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
For questions related to proposals, awards, sponsors, applications and proposals                                                    

Grant and Contract Accounting (GCA) 
For questions related to application of F&A rates

Management Accounting and Analysis (MAA) 
For questions related to F&A rate, direct and indirect cost

Procurement Services 
For questions related to purchasing and Ariba

Office of Research Information Services (ORIS)
For questions related to Sage

Back to Top