Purchasing Policies & Procedures

The term "purchase" includes the contracting for the acquisition of all goods/services, whether by outright purchase, rental agreements, or lease, for the University of San Francisco. Exceptions to this definition are Services of Independent Contractors, and book acquisitions by Libraries. In addition, other contracts as specified by the Vice President for Business & Finance will be excluded.

Procurement Policy

For a complete copy of USF's approved Procurement Policy please visit the link below:

USF Procurement Policy (10.10.2017)

Notice

Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, pipes, cigars, water pipes, vape pens, personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems, smokeless tobacco, etc.) are no longer permitted anywhere within the boundaries of university-owned or leased property and vehicles.

University Purchase

The University does not have financial responsibility for the purchase of goods or services made without an official University Purchase Order (PO). Such purchases are deemed the sole and personal financial responsibility of the individual making such unauthorized purchases. Verbal orders will not be honored by the University.

Vendor Relations

The relationship between the vendor and the University is very important. Below are the dynamics of this relationship.
 

  1. Interviewing Sales Representatives: University personnel wishing to contact sales representatives may ask PAAS for assistance. Unsolicited contacts from sales representatives should be referred to the PAAS.
  2. Supply Sources: PAAS and Accounts Payable maintain a list of all vendors that do business with the University. Requisitioning departments are encouraged to suggest vendors for special orders or unusual items. PAAS has the final authority to select a particular vendor, but will consider department's suggestions.
  3. Vendor Selection: Vendors are selected for their ability to serve the needs of the University by providing quality products in the most economical and efficient manner possible. Past performance is an important factor. Vendors that are selected must agree with the terms and conditions of the University as set forth in a PO.
  4. Vendor Qualification: Vendors doing business with the University are carefully evaluated. Before USF enters into a purchasing commitment, a vendor must submit a copy of their W-9 and completed a Vendor Registration Form. Approved vendors are continuously evaluated by the PAAS office to ensure that they meet USF's standards and expectations.
  5. Vendor Credit Applications: Some vendors require that USF complete and submit a credit application before they begin accepting USF Purchase Orders (PO). Such credit applications should be submitted to the PAAS office for completion.

Sales Tax

The University is not exempt from sales use taxes. When items are purchased for resale, sales tax is collected upon sale. For purchases made out-of-state, the State of California will assess a use tax.

Small Orders

There is a fixed cost associated with processing a purchase requisition, issuing a PO and processing the invoice. Therefore, the PAAS office encourages departments, whenever possible, to group like items of small orders together. This will help reduce the costs of negotiating and placing orders, and the associated overhead cost.

Expenditure of Funds

  • Funds Sources
  • Departments are allocated funds in their budgets for a given period (i.e. fiscal year). This allocation is only an authority to requisition, not to purchase.
  • Cost Centers
  • Each department is assigned a FOAPAL by the Controller's Office. All requisitions require the complete FOAPAL(s) to be charged.

Requisition to Purchase

  • Only individuals officially designated as "Budget Manager" on the University's Chart of Accounts, as established by the Controller's Office, are authorized to approve requisitions for submission to PAAS.
  • The Budget Manager may delegate this authority, for specific FOAPAL's, account numbers and dollar amounts, by submitting a Signature Authority Memo to PAAS. This memo, as with all requisitions, must be signed and dated by the "Responsible Person" (no stamped signatures), signed by the designee, and must indicate the duration of authority.
  • It is recommended that the requisitioning function (including issuing requisitions and approving invoices) reside with one person within a department. Alternates should be assigned to expedite processing when the primary person is unavailable.
  • All outside requests for purchases are processed through PAAS on a pReq, each requisition is numbered to eliminate duplication.

Requisition Information

A requisition should include the following information:

  • With each pReq, the end user should keep an electronic copy of the pReq  saved for departmental records.
  • When possible, the department should provide suggested sources of supply by giving the complete vendor name and address.
  • A complete description of the material or services desired, including catalog numbers, samples and attachments, are sent with the PO to PAAS for processing.

Note: Please be sure to retain a copy of the requisition for your files. Each requisition should list items that can be furnished by one supplier (e.g. do not request stationery and furniture on the same requisition).

More information on requisitions and instructions on how to fill one out

Requisition Approval

Each college/department had been assigned capital limitations by their divisional Vice President/Provost. Please check with your Dean/Director or find out your limitations. For grant accounts, the USF Grant Administrator's approval is required.

Invoice Approval

Should you receive an invoice for items received and/or services rendered, please approve payment by signing, dating and indicating the PO number on the invoice and promptly send to the Accounts Payable office in LMN 3rd Floor. Failure to submit invoices to Accounts Payable for payment(s) in a timely manner can result in payment delays. This may prevent USF from meeting its "net 30 day" payment practice and may jeopardize vendor relations.

If a department wishes to withhold payment to a vendor, please inform USF Purchasing via email at purchasing@usfca.edu or by hard copy with the following information:

  • PO Number
  • Payment Instructions (i.e. do not pay on line #2)
  • Provide Reason(s)