Any single item with a per-unit cost of $5,000 or more is considered capital equipment. This includes high-value laboratory, research, and industrial machinery and technology. Examples include (but are not limited to): microscopes, centrifuges, spectrometers, telescopes, smartboards, projectors, turbines, motors, and IT hardware.
Capital equipment must be purchased on a PO. This ensures the University's terms & conditions are accepted, allowing for better management of returns, defects, and supplier performance issues. Additionally, capital equipment must be procured via PO to meet asset reporting requirements, enabling the University to tag the item, track its location, and assess depreciation over time. Refer to policy FIN-034: Accounting Requirements for Equipment Assets.
Before purchasing capital equipment, consider avoiding duplication by utilizing UVA Core Facilities or sharing with nearby departments.
When possible, choose Energy Star and/or Water Sense certified equipment to conserve resources and reduce long-term operating costs.