Equipment Management

Research equipment acquired or developed at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is subject to institutional and University System of Maryland (USM) policies governing ownership, inventory control, transfer, and disposal. These requirements apply regardless of funding source and help ensure compliance with sponsor terms, state regulations, and university accountability standards.

Equipment transfers most commonly arise when faculty join or leave UMB, when equipment is shared across institutions, or when projects conclude and equipment is no longer needed. Proper review and approval are required before equipment may be transferred, sold, donated, or otherwise disposed of.

Governing Policies

The following policies establish the requirements for managing capital equipment and surplus property:

University System of Maryland (USM)

• Policy for Capitalization and Inventory Control

• Policy on Disposal of Surplus Personal Property

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB)

• Surplus Property Policy 

• Equipment Transfer Policy

These policies define how equipment is classified, inventoried, transferred, or declared surplus, as well as the roles and responsibilities of departments and investigators.

Questions and Additional Information

• Faculty transfers and equipment
  Contact the SPA Proposals Team for guidance on transferring equipment when faculty join or leave UMB or when equipment is associated with sponsored projects.

• Capital Equipment Inventory
  Additional information is available on capitalization thresholds, tagging, and inventory tracking requirements.

• Surplus Property
  Guidance is available on declaring equipment surplus, approved disposal methods, and required documentation.