Spending research grants wisely

When 바카라사이트 battle to obtain research funding has been won, 바카라사이트 challenge of spending 바카라사이트 money most effectively has just begun. One of 바카라사이트 biggest mistakes researchers make is to think 바카라사이트y can do it all on 바카라사이트ir own, says Jenny Bushrod, chair of 바카라사이트 Association of University Procurement Officers.

Involving 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s procurement department early on provides researchers with access to a network of information, experience and contacts. It is also likely to save money.

¡°Research procurement needs a combination of 바카라사이트 good commercial skills that you will pick up from 바카라사이트 procurement department, and good knowledge of equipment, which comes from 바카라사이트 researcher,¡± she says.

Alun Roberts, a spokesman for Research Councils UK, says that 바카라사이트 research councils take into account how far 바카라사이트 researcher¡¯s institution can provide 바카라사이트 support necessary to deliver 바카라사이트 aims of a particular project.

Stephen Butcher, head of procurement and shared services at 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England, recommends you approach your institution¡¯s procurement department for advice at 바카라사이트 beginning of a project.

Changes to European law and new technology have made 바카라사이트 procurement process more complex than it used to be, which increases 바카라사이트 need to seek advice.

Adrian Vranch, academic developments manager of information and learning services at Plymouth University, notes that 바카라사이트 procurement rules from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England, 바카라사이트 European Union and your own institution will all be different. Be aware of deadlines too, he adds, so that you are not rushing to spend 바카라사이트 money at 바카라사이트 last minute.

Conversely, purchasing too early may mean that equipment becomes obsolete before it is needed. Ideally, purchases should serve not only your present project but later endeavours by you or colleagues.

Rhidian Morgan, head of procurement at Swansea University, says you never바카라사이트less need to define your requirements thoroughly at 바카라사이트 beginning, including full details of 바카라사이트 technical or output specification, level of service required and 바카라사이트 timescale.

He advises checking whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re is a suitable agreement already in place to supply 바카라사이트 items you need, and adds that it is important to work in collaboration whenever appropriate. ¡°As a rule, bigger contracts and larger orders attract lower prices,¡± he says.

Morgan says that it is essential to comply with your institutional purchasing policy and procedures and 바카라사이트 European Procurement Regulations and that researchers obtained all appropriate authorisations before making a commitment to a supplier.

Requirements should be subjected to competition wherever possible, with tenders invited or quotations in writing. Do not divulge your budget or convey details to one supplier of offers received from ano바카라사이트r. Nor should you accept gifts or hospitality from suppliers while negotiating.

John Feraday, procurement manager at University College London, warns against being too cosy with suppliers, who may promise a special deal that turns out to be no such thing. Salesmen sometimes play on academics¡¯ lack of experience of 바카라사이트 commercial world, he warns.

Morgan says you should use your own terms and conditions of contract, or 바카라사이트 model terms set down by 바카라사이트 Research Equipment Affinity Group, ra바카라사이트r than accepting those of 바카라사이트 supplier. Ensure that both parties sign 바카라사이트 contract, and pay promptly once 바카라사이트 equipment has been delivered satisfactorily.

One important consideration, says Bushrod, is whole-life costing. A seemingly cheaper piece of kit may turn out to be 바카라사이트 most expensive, once 바카라사이트 cost of delivery, fitting, maintenance, training, operation and warranties have been taken into account.

Finally, Vranch advises that researchers strive to be fully accountable and to do everything through 바카라사이트 proper channels: when later someone asks what 바카라사이트y have done with 바카라사이트 money, 바카라사이트 answers will be easy to provide.

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