CNS counts time facilities/tools billed hourly by the half-hour. In other words, time is rounded up to the nearest half hour.  The exception is the LISE Cleanroom, which is rounded up to the nearest full hour.

Per use facilities are charged by the amount of samples used. 1 sample = 1 use charge, 2 samples = 2 use charges.

Facilities that charge a per day fee use an actual calendar day as basis of charge. A day is 12:01 am to 11:59 p.m. If a User enters a per day fee facility from 6 – 10 am and then returns from 9 – 11 pm, they are charged for 1 day. If a User enters a per day facility at 11:58 pm steps out at midnight and returns at 12:01 am, they are charged for 2 days.

When two or more Users log in to a instrument with a paper logbook, only the user that made the reservation in the Scheduling Tool is charged. If no reservation has been made online, the default is the first User to sign into the logbook for the entry in question.

If a User does not show up for the time he/she reserved on a CNS facility or tool on the CNS Scheduling Tool, he/she WILL be charged for the time reserved. This charge is not subject to the monthly cap.
If you cannot make a reserved time due to extraordinary circumstances and the time has passed where the reservation can be canceled on the Scheduling Tool, you must contact the CNS technical staff member in charge of that tool. The CNS technical staff member will then request the CNS Administrative Office to not charge for that session. Both the technical and administrative staff must agree that the reason for the no-show was legitimately beyond the users control in order to not be charged. For example, if the tool crashed during the last users session, the user will not be charged. If the user didn’t have their sample ready in time, they will be charged.  For example, if a user makes a reservation for someone else in their group they will end up both getting charged.  The user who made the reservation will be considered a no-show and the actual user will be billed for the actual usage.

CNS also bills for all reserved but unused time, including reservations longer than required and reservations that don't match the actual use times.  This policy compliments our policy of billing for all actual use even if not entered in our scheduling tool.  So please plan carefully when reserving equipment time.

If a facility malfunctions due to reasons beyond the users control (not a crash or error caused by the user), the User must complete and submit a CNS User Fee Waiver Form (fillable PDF).

Users will be billed according to the account or purchase order number provided on their CNS/NNIN User Program enrollment forms unless a prior arrangement has been made with the CNS Administrative Office. The enrollment forms trump any entry on the CNS Scheduling Tool. If Users need to change their billing information prior to the annual CNS/NNIN User Program Renewal date (March 1st of every year), they must complete and submit a Change of Billing Code or Purchase Order NO. Form (fillable PDF).

Training sessions are considered On-Site Assisted Use in regards to billing.

For all trainings which occur in a facility that charges an access fee, the access fee still applies (LISE Cleanroom, LISE G05, LISE G06 etc).

It is considered Assisted Use if a CNS staff member either operates the equipment for you, is in attendance to observe you operate the instrument, or must remain nearby during your session to monitor operation.