Office of Sponsored Programs

Laboratory Allocations


A. General Rules

1. Only primary volume cost collectors receive allocation of administrative expense. If any cost collectors are to be excluded from the allocation, an explanation, in writing, must be submitted for review and approval.

2. Travel (except within the administrative group), equipment, meetings/lunches and any unallowable costs may not be charged to the allocation account. Other operating costs, wherever applicable, should be direct charged.

3. If an individual's salary is to be charged to the allocation account, then such salary must be charged at 100%. Salaries may not be partially charged to the allocation account and partially to another cost collector unless the split of the person's time is functional; for example, partially a direct research or scientific function and partially an administrative or support function.

4. Each month the SAP system will perform the allocation at the point in the system prior to the calculation of employee benefits and F&A recovery. Each primary volume cost collector will receive a salary and/or operating cost charge based upon the Modified Total Direct Costs charged to the cost collector multiplied by the rates then in effect.

5. Each year laboratories will submit rate information for review by the Defense Contract Audit Agency and, when approved, rate changes (if necessary) will be made at the beginning of each fiscal year. In extraordinary circumstances rates may be revised at other times during the fiscal year

B. Allocation Method

1. Develop estimated MTDC base. The base is determined as follows:

Total laboratory volume

Less: Employee benefits

Vacation accrual

F&A recovery

G/L accounts not subject to F&A (designated "Not MTDC" in title of G/L account)

2. Determine annual charges to the allocation account in the following categories:

(a) Allocated Salaries & wages

(b) Allocated expense

3. Determine allocation rates as follows:

(a) Allocated Salaries & wages

Salaries and wages [B.2.(a) above] / Modified total direct cost base (B.1) = Salaries and wages allocation rate

(b) Allocated M&S

Operating expenses [B.2.(b)] / Modified total direct cost base (B.1.) = Allocated expenses allocation rate

4. Each month the SAP system will perform the allocation as follows:

(a) As explained in B.1. above, arrive at the MTDC base for each primary volume cost collector assigned to the laboratory.

(b) Multiply the MTDC base for each cost collector by the applicable allocation rates. The results will be charged to cost collectors as follows:

(1) Allocated Salaries & Wages

On Campus - G/L Account 600100

Off Campus - G/L Account 600101

(2) Allocated M&S Allocated M&S

On Campus - G/L Account 600104 Allocated M&S

Off Campus - G/L Account 600105

Note: On campus G/L Accounts used unless laboratory is designated as off campus.

EXAMPLE

Laboratory X

Fiscal Year Volume

GL Account Total Money Exclusions MTDC Base
400025 Faculty Sal-Ten $90,000   $90,000
400450 Hourly Pers-On 5,000   5,000
400452 Hourly Pers-Off 1,000   1,000
400602 Support Staff-On 18,000   18,000
400754 MIT Students-On 8,000   8,000
420050 Travel 5,000   5,000
420226 Materials & Services 40,000   40,000
420258 Office Supplies 5,000   5,000
420620 Subrec Agree-Not MTDC 5,000 (5,000)  
420710 Consultants 3,000   3,000
421818 Equip-Not MTDC 10,000 (10,000)  
421833 Equip Rental-Not MTDC 1,000 (1,000)  
  $191,000 $(16,000) $175,000

 

Charges to Allocation Account  
Administrative Staff $25,000
Support Personnel 30,000
Supplies 8,000
Telephone 2,000
Xerox 3,000
  $68,000

Allocation Rates

Allocated Salaries & Wages  
Administrative Staff $25,000
Support Personnel 30,000
Total Salaries & Wages 50,000
   
/ MTDC Base $175,000
Salaries and Wages Allocation Rate 31.43%

 

Allocated M&S  
Supplies $8,000
Telephone 2,000
Xerox 3,000
Total M&S 13,000
   
/ MTDC Base $175,000
M&S Allocation Rate 7.43%

EXAMPLE

Laboratory X

Project Cost

GL Account Total Money Exclusions MTDC Base
400025 Faculty Sal-Ten $1,000   $1,000
400450 Hourly Pers-On 300   300
400602 Support Staff-On 500   500
420050 Travel 100   100
420226 Materials & Services 500   500
421818 Equip-Not MTDC 700 (700) 0
421833 Equip Rental-Not MTDC 200 (200) 0
  $3,300 (900) $2,400

 

One Month's Allocation  
MTDC Base $2,400
x S&W Allocation Rate 31.43%
Amount to G/L Account 600100 (1) $754.32

 

MTDC Base $2,400
x M&S Allocation Rate 7.43%
Amount to G/L Account 600104 (1) $178.32

(1) These amounts are credited to the same G/L Accounts in the allocation account.

 

For more information, please complete this allocation rate request form.

 


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