b201a113_lowability_of_Costs_Activities__Explanation_of_Allowable_Costs
[Items] Equipment and Other Capital Expenditures
The following rules of allowability must apply to equipment and other capital expenditures: (1) Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, buildings, and land are unallowable as direct charges, except with the prior written approval of the NIH awarding IC or pass-through entity. (2) Capital expenditures for special purpose equipment are allowable as direct costs, provided that items with a unit cost of $5,000 or more have the prior written approval of the HHS NIH awarding agency or pass-through entity. (3) Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life are unallowable as a direct cost except with the prior written approval of the NIH awarding agency, or pass-through entity. See Depreciation for rules on the allowability of depreciation on buildings, capital improvements, and equipment. See also Rental Costs of Real Property and Equipment. (4) When approved as a direct charge pursuant to items (1) through (3) above, capital expenditures will be charged in the period in which the expenditure is incurred, or as otherwise determined appropriate and negotiated with the NIH awarding IC. (5) The unamortized portion of any equipment written off as a result of a change in capitalization levels may be recovered by continuing to claim the otherwise allowable depreciation on the equipment, or by amortizing the amount to be written off over a period of years negotiated with the Federal cognizant agency for indirect cost. (6) Cost of equipment disposal. If the non-Federal entity is instructed by the NIH awarding IC to otherwise dispose of or transfer the equipment the costs of such disposal or transfer are allowable. See also Capital Expenditures, Equipment, Special Purpose Equipment, General Purpose Equipment, Acquisition Cost, and Capital Assets.
7.9 Allowability of Costs/Activities
Explanation of Allowable Costs