Resource Usage Fees

As a UT core facility, BIC goes through a regular rate approval process to establish the fees that should be charged for the use of our resources. The rates published below have been reviewed and approved by the UT Office of Accounting and apply to all Users affiliated with UT System irrespective of status. Our current fee structure came into effect on October 1st, 2018 and is valid through to the next rate review period scheduled for Spring 2023.

* Rates for non-UT-System users are available upon request – contact the BIC Director to discuss your requirements.


Rate Categories

Standard / Prime: The default rate, corresponding to the hours during which BIC staff support can be anticipated: 7am – 5pm, weekdays.

Out-of-Hours: Regular usage that takes place outside of Standard / Prime hours, i.e. <7am and >5pm on weekdays, on weekends, or when the University is officially closed. Support from BIC staff is not available except in the case of an emergency e.g. a critical failure of BIC-maintained equipment or resources. Users scan at their own risk, and time is non-refundable. 

Development: Resource time used for protocol development or equipment troubleshooting that does not involve data collection and occurs only occasionally in the lifetime of a particular study / project. Data acquired under this rate is not intended to be used for publication or presentation, and the work performed should not be a feature of a funded research project. Use the Development Time Flowchart to establish if a scan session qualifies as Development Time. Development is restricted to Out-of-Hours, unless BIC staff support is required and arranged in advance, and is limited to 6 hours / year, per major study. Additional hours of Development Time and/or sessions during Standard Prime hours can be obtained by paying the appropriate resource usage fee.

Pilot: Approved projects may be granted the use of a limited amount of scanner time (~10 hours) at a reduced rate to acquire pilot data. To apply for Pilot Time, please follow the application process outlined on the Policies and Procedures page,

Class: This rate is for authorized UT classes that use BIC facilities, and approval must be obtained in-advance. Please contact the BIC Director to discuss your requirements, and to gain access to the Class rate.

Affiliations

UT System User: Faculty / staff affiliated with an institution with UT system and paying for services from a bona fide UT internal account.

Non-UT User: Users external to UT System and/or paying from a non-UT linked funding source.



Contrast Media

Gadovistâ„¢ (Gadobutrol), a Gd-based agent (GBCA) for MRI contrast enhancement, can be purchased by the BIC on your behalf from UT Health Austin. The rate for a single human dose, plus associated supplies for a contrast injection, is a flat fee of $50. The use of GBCAs in humans is limited to the scanners in the Health Discovery Building and requires the use of a technologist and paramedic (along with their associated fees listed above). Note that the cost of contrast agents is subject to market fluctuations, and this fee may vary depending on market conditions. Please inquire for the current rate, if needed.


Human Imaging System Fees

Siemens 3T Skyra MRI Scanner (NHB)

Rate Type

USD per hour  (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum Duration

Standard / Prime

$ 579



15 min



30 min

Out-of-Hours$ 347

Pilot

$ 150
Development0
Class0

Siemens 3T Vida MRI Scanner (HDB)

Rate Type

USD per hour  (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum Duration

Standard / Prime

$ 579



15 min



30 min

Out-of-Hours$ 347

Pilot

$ 150
Development0
Class0

GE Discovery PET/CT Scanner (HDB) **

Rate Type

USD per hour  (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum Duration

Standard / Prime

$ 700



15 min



15 min

Out-of-HoursNot Available

Pilot

Not Available
DevelopmentNot Available
ClassNot Available

** Note that the GE Discovery system may only be operated by a UTHA PET/CT Technologist, see below for labor rates for Technologist support.


PreClinical Imaging System Fees

Bruker 7T BioSpec MRI Scanner (HDB)

Rate Type

USD per hour  (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum Duration

Standard / Prime

$ 120



15 min



30 min

Out-of-Hours$ 28
Development0
Class0

Xenogen IVIS Optical Imaging System (HDB)

Rate Type

USD per hour  (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum fee (USD) 

Standard / Prime

$ 88


15 min


$ 50

Development **0
Class0

** Development time on the IVIS requires prior authorization and is not typically available.

Method development is considered an inherent part of research on the IVIS system. 

Siemens Inveon PET/CT Scanner (HDB)

Rate Type

USD per hour  (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum Duration

Standard / Prime **

$ 250


10 min


20 min

Class0

** The Standard / Prime rate also applies if only CT is performed.

Independent operation of the system is currently restricted to individuals fully trained by Siemens and authorized by BIC.


Labor Rates for BIC and UTHA Staff

BIC Senior and Junior Staff (NHB and HDB)

Support from BIC staff for the initial startup of standard projects is incorporated into our resource use fees.

Labor rates apply for an enhanced level or extended duration of project support from BIC staff and should be incorporated into the project budget. Please contact the Center Director, to discuss whether BIC staff support is required for your project. 

Rate Type

USD per hour (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum Duration

Senior BIC Staff

$ 50

30 min

60 min

Junior BIC Staff $ 2515 min30 min

BIC Director

available on request

UTHA Technologists and Paramedic (HDB)

** Note that UTHA staff are only available during UTHA clinic-hours: 7am-4pm, Monday - Friday.


Rate Type

USD per hour (UT System) *

Billing increment

Minimum Duration

MRI Technologist **

$ 50

15 min

15 min

PET/CT Technologist **$ 5015 min15 min

Paramedic **

$ 3510 min10 min