Developing Research Budgets

This online reference tool was created by Procurement Services to assist the research community with the development of research project budgets for goods and services.

The Principal Investigator (PI) is the lead researcher who is responsible for carrying out research grant and budget activities. 

With the exception of Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and FedDev Ontario grants, PIs are able to complete both the project budget application and post-award stages on their own (NSERC, CIHR,SSHRC, etc.).  For assistance with CFI budget development, contact Procurement Services at procurement@uwo.ca, Ext. 84579.

Project Budget Application Stage

It is recommended that PIs obtain more than one budgetary quotation to compare various qualities and models to develop an accurate budget of the required goods or services.

Create Application Budget

  • Create an equipment list
  • PIs should define their equipment specifications and review Budget Considerations when requesting budgetary quotes.
  • Use the Request for Quotation (RFQ) template to obtain budgetary quotes; it is recommended that PIs obtain a minimum of two budgetary quotes.  The information gathered through the RFQ process will be used to populate a budget costing sheet.  PIs should verify that responding vendors have included the appropriate currency, shipping charges (Delivered at Place (DAP) 澳门六合彩开奖预测), and installation details in their quotes.
  • Engage Facilities Management if renovations are required; visit their web page for more information.

Complete Costing Sheet

  • Procurement Services recommends that PIs complete a Budget Costing Sheet to ensure budget accuracy.  Factors to be considered at this stage include: exchange rates, inflation, shipping charges, taxes 3.41%
  • Contact Procurement Services for the appropriate exchanges rates and inflation factors.

Finalize Application

  • PIs should have a realistic budget after completing the costing sheet and should concentrate on finalizing the written portion of their application. Research Development & Services have various available for developing a well written application. 

Post Award Stage

Once an Award Notice is received from the granting agency, PIs must obtain competitive quotes complying with 澳门六合彩开奖预测's MAPP 2.8 - Procurement of Materials & Services, as well as the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Accountability Directive.  The number of quotes required will vary depending on the value of the goods and services.

PIs should define their equipment specifications and review Budget Considerations before requesting quotes.

Preparing to Purchase

Guidelines for competitive pricing are as follows:

  • Up to $10,000 - one quote is required
  • $10,001 to $25,000 - two quotes minimum (three preferable) with the awarded quote documented in writing
  • $25,001 to $100,000 - three quotes minimum.  The Request for Quotation (RFQ) should be utilized by the PI to obtain competitive quotes when the exact goods or services are known.  An evaluation criteria must be disclosed if quotes will be evaluated on other factors than price, such as specifications and service. A Request for Proposal (RFP) should be considered for more complex goods or services that may have more than one solution requiring a predetermined evaluation criteria.  Contact Procurement Services if you require assistance with this process.
  • Over $100,000 - competitively bid through an open, electronic system.  Contact Procurement Services to develop a publicly posted RFQ or Request for Proposal (RFP).

Determine Successful Vendor

The evaluation process must be conducted fairly and must not discriminate based on geographic location or show favoritism towards a certain product or vendor due to unjustifiable reasons.  Procurement Services must be contacted if there is a potential conflict of interest.

Quotes for low value items gathered through an informal process or formal RFQ process should be evaluated solely based on price unless an evaluation criteria was provided with the quote request.  When an evaluation criteria was disclosed, PIs should complete an evaluation score sheet (quantitative) and an explanation (qualitative) of their given scores.

Procurement Services will facilitate the process for goods valued $100,000 or greater that involve an advertised RFQ or RFP.  PIs are still responsible for scoring the bids and selecting a vendor based on their predetermined evaluation criteria.

Complete Purchase Requisition

Goods and services must be procured using 澳门六合彩开奖预测's eProcurement tool Mustang Market.

An agreement will be negotiated with the successful vendor for goods valued $100,000 or greater, which will accompany the purchase order generated using Mustang Market.  An agreement might be applicable for items less than $100,000 due to the complexity of the goods and services, payment terms or delivery schedule; contact Procurement Services to negotiate an agreement if one of these situations exist.