Q and A

Service Options
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Q. Which service options do you offer?

A. You can choose from three types of services:
     1.Consulting Services
     2.DOE Services
     3.Retainer Services

Q. Can you describe these service options in more detail?

A. Consulting services are charged by the hour and are usually recommended for customers who need occasional assistance. DOE services are recommended for customers who need statistically designed experiments, and are charged by the design. With each designed experiment, the customer receives a complete package of services listed here. When the designed experiment is completed, the customer decides when to return for another DOE. Retainer services are a more economical option recommended for those who require our services continuously for at least six months, and include a combination of consulting and DOE services. A fixed monthly fee is charged for retainer services.

Q. Is a contract required for these services?

A. We do not require any contract for consulting or DOE services. However, we do require a contract for retainer services because there is a long-term commitment. In addition, some customers require that both parties sign a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA) to protect confidential information from unauthorized disclosure. Some customers, even after signing a CDA, prefer not to disclose all proprietary information. Proprietary information does not have to be disclosed to prepare a designed experiment. Factors can be entered as codes (+1, 0, -1, etc) in the design matrix without affecting the statistical analysis.

Q. Can I switch from an option to another while receiving services?

A. You can change from consulting to DOE services and vice-versa at any time, because these options do not require a contract. You can also change from consulting and DOE services to retainer services but you can only change from a retainer service after the contract has ended.

Q. Which are the fees and payment terms for each service options?

A. An hourly fee of $200 applies to consulting services payable at the end of each month. Monthly invoices show the detailed hourly allocation and the total number of hours used during that month. Charges for designed experiments vary from $1,500 to $2,500 per design (usually $2,000), and are paid upfront. Upon receipt of payment, services are initiated in the sequence shown here. Retainer fees are negotiable depending on the projected amount of assistance required by the customer. For example, a monthly fee of $2,000 covers approximately 15 hours of services in a month, a 33% discount over standard consulting services. Because some months may require more or less hours, some degree of flexibility is built into this option by default.

Q. What happens after contacting Cell Culture Solutions and expressing interest for your services?

A. The first step is an informal (and free of charge) telephone conversation to ascertain your needs and decide which service option is most suitable for you. Once terms and conditions are agreed upon, work is then initiated. If you are not sure how to proceed, you may start with consulting services and change later to another service option. We will try our best to accommodate your needs and to assist you as quickly as possible.

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