Rates

The links below outline the calculated rates based on current supply prices and time allocated to each unit. These are the most frequently grown container types and units at the greenhouse. Alternative units are available upon request.

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 National Science Foundation definition of “research” and in consultation with NAU’s 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 or grant account.

Bundled rates are for large-scale projects or long-term projects. Each unit includes container purchase, soil, planting/propagation, watering, maintenance, and bench space.

Cumulative rates are for small-scale and short-term projects and may be allocated for a specific timeframe. Under certain conditions, investigators may provide their own supplies and labor. If greenhouse activities (e.g., watering, plant care, research procedures) are performed by a project participant or project volunteer other than Research Greenhouse staff, the project may incur fewer costs. These arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis with the greenhouse manager.

Labor is considered to be watering, fertilizing, basic plant maintenance, transplanting, and moving of plants to various areas of the greenhouse. Labor does not include data collection, research notation, cleaning after project completion or project design.

Payment procedures

For external users, please note that a 52% overhead charge is applied to all rates (reflected in the table above) for the “research” designation, and a 30% overhead charge is applied to all “public service” designations. External users will be asked to mail a direct payment in the form of a check to the NAU Comptroller’s Office or make direct deposit arrangements.

Internal clients will be asked to provide a speed chart number to the Comptroller’s Office.

Billing of all clients will be done at the completion of the project, or at the end of the fiscal year (June) if the project is likely to continue into the next year.

Inventory of new containers, labels, and soil products will be conducted yearly to inform the annual rate evaluation process.