Computing Devices on Federal Sponsored Awards
SPA-11-021

SPA-11-021
John Talbott
Assistant Vice President for Research Administration
jtalbott@iu.edu 
This policy applies to Federal and Federal flow through assistance (e.g., grants and cooperative agreements) awarded to Indiana University. This is intended for use by Indiana University faculty and staff involved in the fiscal operations and administration of sponsored programs or otherwise with the authority and/or responsibility to identify expenses under sponsored programs. This policy is effective on December 26, 2014 for awards incorporating the OMB Uniform Guidance.
It is the policy of Indiana University that computing devices may be charged as direct costs to sponsored programs when the devices are essential and allocable to the performance of a sponsored award and the procurement of such devices is not restricted by funding agency guidelines, award terms and conditions, or University policy. University owned cellular telephones intended for shared use are permissible devices under this policy to the extent they are essential to the performance of a sponsored award. This policy applies to computing devices costing less than $5,000. Devices costing $5,000 or more are classified as equipment and the equipment procurement policies apply.
[Reference: 2 CFR Part 200.453(c)]
The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for when and how the costs of computing devices required for the performance of a sponsored project may be charged as a direct cost to the sponsored project. This policy provides guidance to ensure best practices in the fiscal management of grants and contracts at Indiana University and to meet the requirements of Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and other sponsoring agencies.
Proposal Preparation and Submission:
Computing devices may be included as a direct cost in a project budget if all of the following criteria are met:
Award Receipt:
When the funding agency issues an award to Indiana University for the sponsored project that includes the requested funding for a computing device, the device may be procured subject to the following conditions:
Computing Devices: Machines used to acquire, store, analyze, process, and publish data and other information electronically, including accessories (or “peripherals”) for printing, transmitting and receiving, or storing electronic information.
Charges for computing devices that are not in compliance with this policy and procedures will be considered unallowable and will be transferred to a non-sponsored departmental account.