Financial Pre-Authorization of Purchases
All SAP shopping carts, must be authorized by an appropriate University financial authority, depending on the funding source of the transaction, before being submitted to the Office of Procurement Services.
General Funds
General Funds shopping carts (including gift account funds) should only be submitted with the understanding and approval of the department chairperson.
The department chairperson may delegate this authority to other appropriate departmental financial personnel authorized to approve departmental expenditures, although certain substantial or unusual shopping carts may require the department chair's approval as determined by The Office of Procurement Services.
Sponsored Research Funds
All shopping carts involving sponsored funds must have the approval of the principal investigator. Such approval may be delegated to appropriate departmental financial personnel authorized to approve expenditures to specified grants/contracts in accordance with departmental policy.
All shopping carts using sponsored funds, for the purchase of equipment valued at $5,000 and greater, need to have the approval of the department chairperson. Such approval may be delegated to appropriate departmental financial personnel authorized to approve expenditures to specified grants/contracts in accordance with departmental policy.
Shopping carts for certain items may need the approval of Divisional Business or Research Administration offices before being submitted to The Office of Procurement Services. Please check with these offices for additional information.
The Office of Procurement Services reviews all shopping carts, and determines that the proper approvals exist before initiating a procurement transaction. Additionally, The Office of Procurement Services may independently inform appropriate additional University officials of transactions (i.e., deans, vice presidents or general counsel) prior to their completion.
Last update: April 16, 2020