PURCHASING
70.21
Revised 12-07
Purchasing Services
335-3541
CONTRACTS
The University negotiates contracts for purchases of goods and services which do not adapt themselves to traditional field order procedures. One example might be a contract with a private party or firm to develop a promotional video. Contracts require detailed terms and conditions addressing each party's responsibilities and the nature of the work involved.
Leases
Leases are one kind of contract and are appropriate when traditional field order procedures are not adequate. They are used frequently to purchase the use of equipment. For example, a lease is appropriate for certain photocopy equipment.
Occasionally, WSU enters into a lease-purchase contract for certain equipment items. Most lease-purchase agreements are financed through the state's lease-purchase program. Contact Purchasing Services for more information.
Duration
The lease and the contract usually have duration of one to five years. A traditional purchase order is typically completed in less than one year.
Responsible Offices
Contracts and leases for purchases of goods and services are processed through Purchasing Services. See 10.11 for other types of contracts and responsible offices.
Other Contracts
See 70.50 for instructions regarding personal services contracts. See 10.11 for processing other types of University contracts. See Chapter 40 regarding processing sponsored project contracts.
PROCESSING
Complete a Departmental Requisition to initiate a contract for the purchase or lease of goods and services. See 70.10 for general instructions regarding the Departmental Requisition.
Memorandum of Agreement
Purchasing Services prepares an agreement containing the appropriate terms and conditions of the contractual arrangement.
Contractor's Forms
The contractor or lessor may furnish forms. These forms are used by the University upon review and approval of the Office of Finance and Administration and/or the Attorney General's Office.
Contract Number
Purchasing Services secures a unique contract number assigned by the Controller's Office. This number is used for filing and payment reference.
Distribution
Purchasing Services distributes copies of the contract or lease as follows:
Contractor
- Two unsigned copies or two signed originals are sent to the contractor or lessor who signs and returns one original to Purchasing Services.
Controller's Office
- The signed original is filed with the Contracts Desk in the Business Services-General Accounting Office.
Purchasing Services
- A copy of the completed contract is kept by Purchasing Services.
Department
- A copy of the completed contract is sent to the contracting or leasing department.
PAYMENT PROCEDURES
Contractor's Invoice
The contractor bills WSU with a printed invoice. If an invoice is not available, a State of Washington Invoice Voucher prepared by the WSU contracting department and signed by the contractor may be substituted. See 30.45.
Contract Number
The department puts the contract number on the invoice. If the State of Washington Invoice Voucher is used, the department puts the contract number in the order number box.
Approval
An authorized departmental representative must approve each payment before the Controller's Office can pay the contractor. The representative signs the invoice and routes it to the Contracts Desk in the Business Services--General Accounting Office.
AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE AND SIGN CONTRACTS
Purchasing Services negotiates and signs most contracts and leases for goods and services between WSU departments and outside vendors.
General Authority
In addition, the following WSU officers have broad authority to negotiate and sign contracts and leases with outside vendors.
- Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Associate Vice President for Finance
Specified Authority
Certain WSU officers have authority within specified areas of responsibility to negotiate and sign contracts and leases with outside vendors. Address questions about specified authority to the Office of Finance and Administration; telephone 335-5524.
See 10.10 for a discussion of delegation of contractual authority.