IU Columbus faculty, staff, and students should know and follow these policies when using university funds to purchase products, goods, or services. The policies include using IU-approved vendors for all purchases. When it relates to making a purchase with university funds, please remember:
- Only authorized personnel may enter into purchasing agreements or sign contracts for services on behalf of the university.
- The first step is always to obtain written price quotes (see below).
- For more information and assistance about purchasing at IU Columbus, contact Cris Craig at 812-348-7361.
Purchasing Overview
In general, please follow these steps when making purchases at IU Columbus. If you don't understand the process or have questions, seek guidance before taking action.
STEP 1: Obtain a Written Quote or Cost Estimate
In order to request that a purchase order (P.O.) be generated, you must first obtain a written quote or cost estimate from an approved vendor. If you are unsure whether a specific vendor has been approved for university purchases, or if the product, good, or service you need can only be obtained from one vendor, contact Cris Craig at 812-348-7361.
Quotes must be in writing and include the name and contact information of the vendor. They should include details like the quantity, item number, model number, size, color, cost, etc. of the item(s) to be purchased and the date by which the items are to be received.
Quotes can be sent to you via e-mail as a PDF document for maximum ease and convenience.
STEP 2: Request a Purchase Order
At Indiana University and at IU Columbus, the standard method for making purchases is by requesting a P.O.
After you have received a written quote from an approved vendor, submit it along with the account number to be used to Cris Craig and ask that a P.O. request be generated.
Until your request is approved and a P.O. number has been generated, you may not move forward.
Purchase orders can be for a single, one-time purchase or they can be for multiple purchases from the same vendor during the same fiscal year, which always begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.
If you need to make multiple purchases during the fiscal year, such as to replenish glass beakers for a chemistry lab, ask for a recurring P.O.
After your request is approved, the P.O. will be transmitted to the vendor. This process should generate the order, but you can ask Cris Craig for confirmation of the PO number if needed.
Contact Cris Craig in the Division of Administration and Finance for assistance with the P.O. approval and payment process.
Procurement Cards
Procurement cards, also known as P-cards, are credit cards that are issued to approved personnel who can use them for authorized purchases under $5,000.
Typically, P-cards are used for conference registrations, membership fees, one-time purchases from suppliers who are not in the university's purchasing system, and emergency purchases from suppliers who are in the Buy.IU system.
These cards may not be used to purchase gases or controlled substances.
Please consult with Cris Craig in the Office of Finance if you have any questions about using your P-card.
Please forward your p-card purchase receipt, as well as the account number to be charged, to criscrai@iu.edu.
Please note: continued misuse of the procurement card, such as purchasing items that can be obtained from contractual vendors and making purchases with tax charged, will result in a loss of p-card privileges.
