Recently, the Ministry of Finance ("MOF") and the Ministry of Science and Technology ("MOST") have jointly issued the Administrative Measures for Reviews of Central-level New Large Scientific Research Instruments and Equipment to Avoid Repeated Purchases (the "Measures") which have taken effect from January 1, 2019.
The Measures provide that, in claiming budget funds to buy a large scientific research instrument, a relevant unit shall request the counter-repeated-purchase review department conduct a review to look into whether the proposed instrument has been bought before and submit an application report for the purchase. Such application report shall mainly specify: an overview of the instrument or equipment to be bought, the necessity of such purchase, situations about the current availability and operation of instruments and equipment of the similar type held by this unit. In addition, the Measures clearly state that, the said review will look into matters in five aspects, including "the current development situation of relevant subjects faced by the buyer and the necessity of buying instruments and equipment for the purpose of scientific research programs". An advice will be given, to support the purchase if any of the given requirements, such as "the proposed instrument or equipment is an online instrument or equipment, or is a supplement to or is used to upgrade, the existing one", are fulfilled, or to dismiss the purchase in case of any of certain circumstances, including "where functions of the proposed instrument or equipment do not meet the research interest of the program concerned". Furthermore, the Measures require that, the said counter-repeated-purchase review department shall inform the unit concerned in a timely fashion of outcomes of its review.