The primary function of the Office of Purchasing Services is to provide optimum purchasing service and assistance to every university department and program. The procurement system goals are to achieve open and competitive, yet cost-effective buying, while adhering to external funding source requirements for bidding, documentation and reporting and timely payment to vendors for services and goods purchased.

Payments, including checks, foreign drafts, wire transfers and EFT (electronic funds transfers) transactions are processed by the Accounts Payable Section of the Controller's Offices. Payment instructions are communicated through various internal electronic systems or directly by university administrative staff. All payments require approval by appropriate university employees who have authority over the budgets being charged.

The University allows a variety of procurement methods. Purchases can be accomplished in more than one way and there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each method that should be considered along with the business needs of the department. For example, office supplies may be purchased with a purchase order, the procurement card, a coded invoice, petty cash, an M&S form or EMNS or as an employee reimbursement. It is critical that the university is protected legally when making disbursements for products and services. An advantage of the purchase order is the fact that it is a legally binding document containing language that protects the interest of the University when vendor disputes arise. Use of the procurement card provides similar protection.

Click on the links to the left for more specific information about each one.

 

 

 

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