Becton Labs, Inc., produces various chemical compounds for industrial use. One compound, called Fludex, is prepared using an elaborate distilling process. The company has developed standard costs for one unit of Fludex, as follows:

During November, the following activity was recorded related to the production of Fludex:

a. Materials purchased, 10,000 ounces at a cost of $197,000.

b. There was no beginning inventory of materials; however, at the end of the month, 2,550 ounces of material remained in ending inventory.

c. The company employs 24 lab technicians to work on the production of Fludex. During November, they each worked an average of 170 hours at an average pay rate of $11.50 per hour.

d. Variable manufacturing overhead is assigned to Fludex on the basis of direct labor-hours. Variable manufacturing overhead costs during November totaled $4,800.

f. During November, the company produced 3,700 units of Fludex.

Required: 1. For direct materials: a. Compute the price and quantity variances. b. The materials were purchased from a new supplier who is anxious to enter into a long-term purchase contract. Would you recommend that the company sign the contract? 2. For direct labor: a. Compute the rate and efficiency variances. b. In the past, the 24 technicians employed in the production of Fludex consisted of 6 senior technicians and 18 assistants. During November, the company experimented with fewer senior technicians and more assistants in order to reduce labor costs. Would you recommend that the new labor mix be continued? 3. Compute the variable overhead rate and efficiency variances.

Standard Quantity Standard Price Standard or Hours or Rate Cost Direct materials $ 42.00 2.00 ounces $21.00 per ounce Direct labor 0.90 hours $12.00 per hour 10.80 Variable manufacturing overhead 0.90 hours 2.00 per hour 1.80 Total standard cost per unit 54.60 Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Req 1A Req 1B Req 2A Req 2B Req 3 For direct materials, compute the price and quantity variances. (Indicate the effect of each variance by selecting "F" for favorable, "U" for unfavorable, and "None" for no effect (i.e., zero variance). Input all amounts as positive values.) Materials price variance Materials quantity variance Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Req 1B Req 2A Req 2B Req 3 Req 1A For direct materials, the materials were purchased from a new supplier who is anxious to enter into a long-term purchase contract. Would you recommend that the company sign the contract? Yes No Req 1A Req 1B Req 2A Req 2B Req 3 For direct labor, compute the rate and efficiency variances. (Indicate the effect of each variance by selecting "F" for favorable, "U" for unfavorable, and "None" for no effect (i.e., zero variance). Input all amounts as positive values.) Labor rate variance Labor efficiency variance Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Req 2A Req 1A Req 1B Req 2B Req 3 In the past, the 24 technicians employed in the production of Fludex consisted of 6 senior technicians and 18 assistants. During November, the company experimented with fewer senior technicians and more assistants in order to reduce labor costs. Would you recommend that the new labor mix be continued? Yes ONo Req 1A Req 1B Req 2A Req 2B Req 3 Compute the variable overhead rate and efficiency variances. (Indicate the effect of each variance by selecting "F" for favorable, "U" for unfavorable, and "None" for no effect (i.e., zero variance). Input all amounts as positive values.) Variable overhead rate variance Variable overhead efficiency variance