Key Definitions

  • External Corporate Customers: For-profit organizations and companies thatÌýpurchase goods or services from the University.Ìý External corporate customers do not use a speedtype and pay via purchase order, credit card, or other vendor-style arrangement.Ìý Examples of external corporate customers include local businesses, Google, and for-profit medical organizations.
  • External Federal Customers:ÌýFederal agencies or departments who purchase goods or services directly from the University, excludingÌýany grant-based funding arrangements.Ìý External federal customers do not use a speedtype and pay via purchase order, credit card, or other vendor-style arrangement.Ìý Examples of external federal customers include NCAR, NOAA, and the Department of Agriculture.Ìý
  • External Nonprofit Customers: Organizations, groups, or individuals engaged in a research or public service activity who purchase goods or services from the University.Ìý External nonprofit customers do not use a speedtype and pay via purchase order, credit card, or other vendor-style arrangement.Ìý Examples of external nonprofit customers include local municipalities, the State of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ, tax-exempt organizations, fund 80 speedtypes, and University personnelÌýacting in a private capacity.
  • Exchange Transaction:ÌýThere is an identifiable exchange of goods or services between the selling unit and the customer. The payment and the goods or services received are of essentially equal value.
  • Fee-For-Service (Charge for Service):ÌýThe term fee-for-service applies to any activity in which a campus department sells a good or service for a fee. The customers may be either external or internal to the University. Fees-for-Service are distinct from student fees in that they are typically directly charged upon delivery of the good or service and are ancillary to the University’s instructional mission. For more information on student fees, visit the BFP program and course fee planning page.
  • Internal Customers:ÌýUnits within the university system. All entities with a speedtype (other than Fund 80) are internal customers, including grants. Sales and services provided to internal customersÌýareÌýsometimes known as Interdepartmental Sales and Services, and units that engage in these sales exclusivelyÌýare known as Internal ServiceÌýActivities (ISAs).
  • Rate-Based Service Activity (RBSA): Sales of goods or services that are offered on a standardized, per-unit basis for multiple engagements, sometimes referred to as "catalog pricing."Ìý Common units of sale include per sample, per test, per hour, and per item.Ìý Rate-based service activities may be offered to internal customers, all external customer types, or any combination thereof.

What are service activities?

Service activities are handled by BFP and Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG). Visit our about service activitiesÌýpage to learn more about the different service activities, and who to contact.