Independent Contractor Research Foundation

Independent Contractors are individuals who are subject to the control of or direction from the University only as it relates to the results of the work performed. The ICs’ work is typically specialized or technical in nature and requires knowledge, experience, or abilities that are not available through the normal hiring process. An Independent Contractor may not be a CSU employee (with exceptions). Services to be performed as an Independent Contractor must not displace the work of any bargaining unit employee or fall into one of the CSU Classification and Qualification standards. Payment for services is based upon completion of specific work, rather than time worked.

LBFDN - An IC Form is required on all Research Foundation IC Purchases

No - A requisition is not required when the IC meets the criteria below.

See Payments & Approvals section for payment options.

  • Under $5,000 per fiscal year  
  • Single engagement is not more than 10 days.
  • Guest Lecturer/Speaker, Guest Artist/Musician/Director/Writer/Producer, Guest/Model, Program or Article Evaluator/Reviewer/Appraiser/Editor, Translator, Technical/Class Demonstrator *If any of these professions are working directly with minors, a requisition would need to be submitted for a background check.

Yes - A requisition is required If any of the below are answered with a “Yes”.  

  • Is the individual legally restricted from working for the university?
  • Over $5,000 per fiscal year  
  • Is the IC a non-resident alien? If “Yes”, inquire with AP-Tax@csulb.edu before proceeding.
  • Is the individual a current CSU or Research Foundation employee? Contact the Research Foundation Human Resources for guidance.

If a requisition is required, the minimum time for generating a dispatched purchase order:

A minimum of 10 working days after Procurement received all completed documentation. 

All LBFDN independent contract requests must first be routed and approved through the Research Foundation Administrator (Bridgette Pruitt), once this form has been approved, the requestor will then submit an on-line requisition to process the PO if deemed necessary through the Research Foundation Administrator.

  • All Goods and Services purchases between $100,000 - $250,000 require a minimum of 3 competitive quotes. If obtaining quotes from a small business or disabled veteran businesses, then only 2 quotes are required from the same classification (for example, 2 small business quotes).
  • Anything under $100,000 is at the discretion of the Procurement Department as to whether additional quotes are required.
  • Purchases over $250,000 require a Request For Proposal (RFP). If obtaining quotes from small business or disabled veteran businesses, then only 2 quotes are required from the same classification (for example, 2 small business quotes).
  • Foundation “G” (Grants) Funds - All Goods and Services purchases between $10,000 - $99,999 require at least 2 informal quotes. Anything between $100,000 - $250,000 require 3 informal quotes. Purchases over $250,000 require a Request For Proposal (RFP). 

Research Foundation IC Form (PDF)

*Background check is required when working with minors or when HR deems required. Contact the Research Foundation HR Dept. for assistance.

By accepting a contract with the CSU, Contractors must certify they are neither nor its principals or its subcontractors are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in transactions by any federal department or agency (2 Code Federal Regulations[CFR] 180.220, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR Part 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR Part 1989 Comp., p. 235).

For contracts using both, CSU and federally awarded funds, a debarment check must be completed prior to issuing any procurement contracts of goods or services that are $25,000.00 or greater. 

Must be paid directly by the Research Foundation Accounts Payable office, no P Card and no employee reimbursement permitted.

  1. Permitted Payment Options: Based on category guidelines
    • PO – Allowed
    • PCard – Not Allowed
    • One Card – Not Allowed
    • Direct Pay – Allowed
  2. Employee Reimbursement – Not allowed. All requests for payment must first be routed to the Research Foundation IC Administrator (Bridgette Pruitt) for approval, then they will be routed for payment to Accounts Payable.
  3. Documents required for this type of payment:
    • Supplier Invoice (only with a PO)
    • Approved Direct Payment Request form
    • If the supplier is not currently in PeopleSoft, then include the form or W8Ben (If International Vendor)
  4. Electronic approval (via email) sent directly to; FND-invoices@csulb.edu.
  5. All payments will be issued by the Accounts Payable department

Note: Invoices received by Accounts Payable, prior to payment, are routed to the requestor or approver to verify completion of service. Reference the Invoice Approval process for more information.

Suppliers that are not California residents may be subject to tax. Non US residents may not be eligible for payment of any type. Contact the University Tax Specialist for more information before proceeding with any engagements.

All LBFDN independent contract requests must first be routed and approved through the Research Foundation Administrator (Bridgette Pruitt), once this form has been approved, the requestor will then submit an on-line requisition to process the PO if deemed necessary through the Research Foundation Administrator. The Contractor never sees the PO, it is created by the Buyer only as a means to payment

Common GL Account(s) to Use

660835 – Lectures & Performances

613800 – Consulting Contract Services

Refer to your Division/College/Department for additional policies and procedures.