Policy and Overview

The goal of the Purchasing department is to ensure responsible spending through the organization and administration of a centralized purchasing service. We procure bids for volume purchases such as furniture, capital purchases, computer equipment, copiers, maintenance contracts, stationery, travel, etc.

Purchasing is an ongoing process that responds to the changing needs in our university environment, and to changing service opportunities in the marketplace.

The process includes, in part:

Provide planning services to departments

• budget forecasting for future expenditures
  
• recommendations for products and services
  
• coordinating procurement of goods, services, delivery and installation

Research and develop sources of supply

• create requests for proposals (RFPs) and request for information (RFI) for contract services (i.e. copiers, office supplies, travel, car service, water, computer equipment, etc.)
  
• solicit competitive bids locally, nationally and globally
  
• negotiate volume discounts
  
• prepare and conduct negotiations with suppliers

Building partnership with vendors

• insure prompt (net 30) payment
  
• establishing centralize billing
  
• encourage personalized customer service
  
• promote and enforce establish legal and ethical policies