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What is an RBSA?

A Rate-Based Service Activity (RBSA) is a self supporting auxiliary that allows campus departments to leverage excess research capacity to sell goods and services to both internal and external customers. Unlike project and budget based sponsored research, RBSAs charge for services using a menu of standardized rates.

You can think of an RBSA as a small business under the purview of the university. These activities offer repeatable services priced using annually approved rates, making them accessible and predictable for both internal and external clients.

Common RBSA examples:

1. A core facility offering specialized techniques for Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØresearchers.
2. Faculty utilizing proprietary softwareM or techniques in consulting services for internal and external customers.
3. Already-discovered research owned by Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØthat can be utilized to benefit other research activity or sold to companies external to CU.

What activities are eligible for an RBSA?

An RBSA is a service activity that allows campus units to utilize excess research capacity to sell goods and services to internal and/or external Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØcustomers. The key concept in determining RBSA eligibility is that the activity must be research-adjacent but not involved in new scientific discovery—meaning it supports or enhances research, teaching, instruction, or the dissemination of best practices to benefit others' research or academic activities.

Examples of potentially eligible RBSA activities include, but are not limited to:

• Testing
• Analysis
• Equipment use
• Training development
• Evaluation
• Consultation
• Fabrication

Activities not eligible as RBSAs typically fall into the categories of:

• General auxiliaries (large or small)
• Space rentals
• Research that leads directly to scientific investigation or discovery

For more details on what is considered ineligible, please visitÌýOCG’s website – Service Activity Determination.

FAQ

Is a Service Center and an RBSA the same thing?

Yes and no. Both are auxiliary operations that can sell goods or services to internal and external customers, but they differ in purpose and compliance requirements:

RBSAs support or enhance research and sponsored projects may use their services. Because of this link to federally funded research, RBSA rates must undergo review and approval to ensure compliance with federal costing regulations and Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder policies

There are some service centers on campus that provide goods or services that are not research-adjacent. Common examples include department T-shirt sales, athletic events, vehicle safety training, hospitality conferences, dining services, etc. Most of the time, these types of services do not require a rate review and approval through the RBSA process, but there could be exceptions that may occur for a rate review.

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