Biomedical and Media Communications

 

 

The Biomedical and Media Communications Department at the University of Connecticut Health Center is a full service, broadcast grade production facility creating videotapes, multimedia (including interactive CD-ROMs and web streaming), and producing interactive teleconferences around the world.

 Our mission is to support that of the University of Connecticut Health Center in teaching, research, patient care, and service to the community.

The Video Communications Department operates as a “cost recovery center” and therefore charges for most of its services.  We work closely with our clients to produce a complete project, or any portion(s) thereof.  Our charges are based on a three tier pricing structure for:

  1. UCHC internal clients;

  2. Affiliated Hospitals, Governmental Agencies, and other affiliates; and

  3. External Clients.

We do not publish a standard price sheet, as there are too many different variables and levels of service provided even within a particular category such as video recording and/or editing.  We will be happy to discuss your communications needs and provide you with an estimate.  Please call 860-679-2119 or e-mail at hengsten@nso1.uchc.edu.  Projects can range from a single videotape duplication to a fully produced interactive educational program or broadcast television commercial.

The following is a more detailed description of each price tier, who qualifies for each level, and how business is typically conducted with us.

 

UCHC Internal Clients:

General Description and benefits:  The Video Communications Department’s primary responsibility is to the University of Connecticut Health Center.  Because we receive limited funding from the Health Center, we are able to provide our internal users services that are less than our actual costs.  Potential clients are encouraged to check with us first regarding their multimedia needs as our charges are typically much less than similar services provided by outside production companies.  UCHC’s Purchasing Department will give preference to an internal department as long as the internal department can provide the requested services. Any additional services that are not available internally and are necessary to complete the requested project, can be coordinated with outside vendors either directly by the requesting department, or by the Video Communications Department for an additional handling fee of approximately 10%. 

Who Qualifies:  All departments, centers, and schools within the University of Connecticut Health Center.  

Typical time frame for work:  Clients are given a timetable of when their project will be completed when an agreement is reached regarding the work to be performed.  Often small quantities of tape duplication can be completed the same day, while producing larger programs may take a few months to complete.  Contact the Video Communications Department for a timetable to complete your project.  Smaller projects can be initiated via a phone call, e-mail, or by coming to the Department.  Larger projects typically require pre-production meetings and often a memorandum of understanding so both parties are assured or each other’s responsibilities to complete the total project.  Estimates for larger projects can be provided after a pre-production meeting. 

How and when we invoice:  An FRS account number or Foundation Account number to invoice is required prior to starting any production along with a complete billing contact name, department, phone number, and mail code number.  Invoicing is performed electronically once per month for any work performed during that month.  Most charges are invoiced to subcode 2309 (Classroom TV) and/or to subcode 2306 (Photography).  Hard copy invoices are not routinely generated, but if necessary, the department can specifically request a printout of their month’s charges for a particular project(s).  Job number, description of services, and charge per service can be found on the requesting departments’ monthly FRS printout.   

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Affiliated Hospitals, Governmental Agencies, and other Affiliates:

General Description and Benefits:  The Video Communications Department at the University of Connecticut Health Center is available to provide video, multimedia, and teleconference services to our direct affiliates and federal and state government agencies at our cost.  Other Connecticut State agencies can use our services without the need for formal contracts or bidding.  The Department of Administrative Services encourages all State agencies to first utilize services that can be provided within the State system before contracting with outside companies.  Since the funding is transferred from one state account to another, the money stays within the state system. Programs of any type can be produced for any Connecticut State agency, and programs that fall within our missions can be produced for all others that fall within this category.  

Who Qualifies:  All Connecticut State agencies, all US Federal Government agencies, and all hospitals and healthcare organizations that have a direct formal affiliation with the University of Connecticut Health qualify for this rate.  Other not for profit (501C3) companies can apply to our Board of Directors for this pricing level based on the nature of the project and its affinity to our mission. 

Typical time frame for work:  Clients are given a timetable of when their project can be completed at the time of agreement.  Often small quantities of tape duplication can be completed the same day, while producing larger programs may take a few months to complete.  Contact the Video Communications Department for a timetable to complete your project.  Smaller projects can be initiated via a phone call, e-mail, or by coming to the Department.  Larger projects typically require pre-production meetings and often a memorandum of understanding so both parties are assured or each other’s responsibilities, charges, and timetable to complete the total project.  Estimates for larger projects can be provided after a pre-production meeting. 

How and when we invoice:  Work performed for other Connecticut State agencies will be invoiced via a State Transfer Invoice (Form C-608).  All other clients that qualify under this tier will receive an invoice by mail.  For all of the above, small jobs will be invoiced after completion and larger projects will typically be invoiced monthly for all work performed during that month, or according to a billing schedule setup in a memorandum of understanding.  All companies and individuals that are not Connecticut State sales tax exempt will be required to pay current sales tax for all taxable services and products provided.  Invoices not paid in full within 30 days from the invoice date will be charged a late fee of 1.5% per month on the total outstanding invoice.  Additional services will not be provided to any client that has outstanding invoices greater than 60 days and all work currently in-house related to this client will stop and will not be released until the account is paid in full.  Accounts that remain outstanding greater than 90 days from invoice date will be turned over to the Assistant State Attorney General at the University of Connecticut Health Center for collection.  Late fees will continue to accrue in additional to all legal, collection, and credit reporting fees. 

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General Clients: 

General Description and Benefits:  The Video Communications Department at the University of Connecticut Health Center is available to provide video, multimedia, and teleconference services to outside, non-affiliated companies as long as the project falls within our mission.  Pharmaceutical companies, local companies, and broadcast networks regularly use our crews and facilities for parts of their projects, or overall productions.  Because the Video Communications Department is part of a State agency, these procedures outline the nature of how we will conduct business outside our agency. 

Who Qualifies:  Anyone who does not fall within the above two categories, and the prospective project falls within the UCHC missions falls within this tier of service. 

Typical time frame for work:  Clients typically are given a timetable of when their project can be completed at the time of agreement.  Often small services can be completed within a few days, while producing larger programs may take a few months to complete.  Contact the Video Communications Department for a timetable to complete your project.  Smaller projects can be initiated via a phone call, e-mail, or by coming to the Department.  Larger projects typically require pre-production meetings and typically a memorandum of understanding so both parties are assured or each other’s responsibilities, charges, and timetable to complete the total project.  Estimates for larger projects can be provided after a pre-production meeting.  After review of the project request, we will provide an estimate of charges, estimate of timeframe to complete the project, and establish a billing schedule. 

How and when we invoice:  Small production services are invoiced upon completion of the various components.  Larger projects require a deposit of one third before any work is started, one third after the majority of video has been recorded, and one third upon completion of the project.  Each subsequent portion of the project will not be started until the previous payment has been received.  All companies and individuals that are not Connecticut State sales tax exempt will be required to pay current sales tax for all taxable services and products provided.  Invoices not paid in full within 30 days from the invoice date will be charged a late fee of 1.5% per month on the total outstanding invoice.  Additional services will not be provided to any client that has outstanding invoices greater than 60 days and all work currently in-house related to this client will stop and will not be released until the account is paid in full.  Accounts that remain outstanding greater than 90 days from invoice date will be turned over to the Assistant State Attorney General at the University of Connecticut Health Center for collection.  Late fees will continue to accrue in additional to all legal, collection, and credit reporting fees.  

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