Purchasing & Contracts

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide information to all departments of the necessary components of a proper procurement/purchase. It outlines the requirements mandated by the City University of New York and New York State Procurement Guidelines. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure the integrity of the process and serve as a guide to proper procedure. The Purchasing Department will assist you in determining the best and most appropriate manner in which to obtain the goods and services you require. If there are any questions regarding these guidelines please feel free to contact the Purchasing Department at (212) 772-4333.

New York State Procurement Guidelines require that prior to purchasing from an outside source; the College must determine whether the goods or services may be obtained through an existing contract or source such as preferred source vendors. The following guide provides the order of priority when seeking to locate a supplier.

• New York State Preferred Source Vendors: These are vendors who have received legislative approval to the right of first refusal. Preferred Sources are:
  • New York State Preferred Source Program For New Yorkers Who Are Blind
  • New York State Industries for the Disabled
  • Corcraft
• New York State Centralized Contracts: A large number of existing state contracts that provide many goods and services. Should the goods or services you require be contained in one of these contracts, Purchasing can access these contracts without conducting procurement. However, departments are advised to closely read through the specifications of these contracts to determine whether their need(s) can be met.
  • Learn more at Office of General Services (OGS).
• Other Government Contracts: City of New York Contracts, Department of Education Contracts and Federal Office of General Services contracts can also be utilized.
  • Learn more at the official website of the City of New York.

For additional information, see the list of Vendors/Suppliers.

Competitive Process for Selecting a Supplier

• Invitation to Bid (ITB): This is the preferred method of procuring goods and services when the specifications are sufficiently definite that price is the sole consideration when selecting a vendor. The vendor selected is the vendor whose price is the lowest or is the price that represents the best value.  The request/requisition must be submitted 60 days prior to bid opening date plus lead time for receipt of the goods or commencement of services.
• Request for Proposals (RFP): This is the method of selection used when the specifications are not sufficiently specific and/or when seeking a solution or method of services not readily known and you are seeking proposals to solve and/or suggest a solution.  In this method of selection, price is not the sole determinant of the selected vendor. Judgment is required to select the best proposal. A committee is selected to review proposals and weighted criteria are utilized to rate proposals.

It should be noted that when utilizing existing contracts, departments should look carefully at the specifications, pricing structure and term of the contract before making a final determination. Such a review will help determine cost, length of time that the services will be available and whether the specifications meet the needs of the department. In the event that the specifications in the existing contract do not meet the departments need, then the department should contact Purchasing to discuss the appropriate method of procurement.

The following is a brief description of the documentation required to create a Purchase Order* by dollar value. Other documentation is required to pay vendors/individuals. See Accounts Payable.

• Under $250.00
  • Departments may order from vendors and submit the original invoice, the original packing slip and a signed and dated receiving report* for both complete and partial deliveries.

  Note:  It should be noted that many vendors in the normal conduct of their business will not forward goods or provide services without an approved Purchase Order*.  In this case a Purchase Requisition* must be completed and submitted to Purchasing to generate a Purchase Order that will be sent to the vendor.

• $250.00 - $499.99
  • One (1) written price quote from the selected vendor.  Price quotes must be on Company letterhead and include Federal Tax ID number, address, contact name and telephone and fax number.
• $500.000 - $2,499.99
  • One (1) written price quote from the selected vendor.  Price quotes must be on Company letterhead and include Federal Tax ID number, address, contact name and telephone and fax number.
  • Written notification to the Purchasing Department that two additional vendors were contacted and prices provided (this can be submitted in memo form and must include the business name, address, telephone numbers and contact person for each vendor).
• $2,500.00 -$4,999.99
  • Three (3) written price quotes must be submitted with the Purchase Requisition*. These quotes must be on Company letterhead and include Federal Tax I.D. number, address, contact name and telephone and fax number.
• $5,000.00 and Over (Purchasing must Conduct a Invitation to Bid Process)
  • List of five (5) suggested vendors for the services or goods
  • Cost estimate for the good or services with appropriate back-up.
  • Detailed specifications
  • The request/requisition must be submitted 60 days prior to bid opening date plus lead time for receipt of the goods or commencement of services.
• Over $20,000.00 (Purchasing must Conduct a Formal Bid Process)
  The CUNY Board of Trustees must approve purchases over $20,000.00. There are additional procedural requirements conducted by Purchasing. These requirements are 1) the submission of a Board Resolution, 2) Preparation of a bid document or contract for approval as to form by General Counsel, 3) Advertisement in the City Record and the State Contract Reporter 4) City University of New York Board of Trustees, NYS Office of the Comptroller and New York State Attorney General approvals are required prior to the execution and registration of the contract. The following documented information is required to begin the formal bidding process:
  • List of at least five (5) suggested vendors
  • Cost estimate for the services or goods
  • Detailed specifications
  • Bid/pricing sheet

• Computers and Computer Related Items: Requests for desktop computers, servers, software, printers, cabling, etc. must be reviewed by ICIT for approval before forwarding the requisition to Purchasing for processing. Requisitions received without approval will be returned to the department.
• Personal Electronic Equipment (Cell Phones, PDAs, Tablet PCs): Requests for personal electronic equipment must be reviewed by ICIT for approval, in addition to the Department approval, before forwarding the requisition to Purchasing for processing.
• Student Text Books: Some special educational programs receive OTPS funds to be used towards the purchase of textbooks for students. Texts like any other item should be ordered following Purchasing Guidelines to assure the best price. Barnes and Noble is the college’s official bookstore – they are the sole authorized vendor allowed on campus to sell texts and related college items to students. If there is a need to purchase textbooks, those authorized to purchase texts must following these guidelines.  Indicate in the Purchase Requisition that the books are for students.
• Office Supplies: Staff who purchase office supplies in lieu of ordering through the normal requisition process must provide sufficient justification for purchasing from an outside vendor (a vendor not on a State Contract).  Reimbursement for these expenses is not guaranteed.  Departments should not purchase fax or printer toner from office supply vendors.  State contract vendors such as Hewlett Packard and CDW should be used to purchase toner.
  www.ogs.state.ny.us/purchase/spg/lists/commodty.asp
• Travel Reimbursement: Please refer to New York State Traveler’s Guide concerning reimbursement documentation guidelines.

Goods and services should not be ordered until a purchase requisition has been received by Purchasing along with documented bidding (where required). This will ensure compliance with the procurement guidelines.  Any requisition submitted without the required documentation will be returned to the department.  Purchases less than $250 are the lone exception.

Departments should plan their expenses and consolidate their purchases when ordering the same or similar goods from the same vendor. The monthly submission of requests for the same or similar goods purchased in previous month(s) is not allowed and is considered split ordering.  Staff time can be more useful and efficient submitting requisitions on a cyclical basis.

The Purchasing department must be notified as soon as possible of cases that require emergency purchases.  The Purchase Requisition* in cases of emergency must provide supportive documentation. Purchasing will work with the department to ensure that the goods or services are obtained by issuing a confirming Purchase Order*.   In such instances the departments must provide the Purchasing Office and Accounts Payable with the supporting documentation as soon as it is available in order to ensure prompt payment to the vendor.  Unforeseen needs in the form of goods or services still require adherence to the appropriate procurement requirements (the receipt of bids, justification of need statement, etc.).

Note: Departments have no authority to establish accounts with Non-State Contract Vendors on behalf of Hunter College.

Accounts Payable is responsible for issuing payment for valid invoices that have been reviewed by the department and forwarded to Accounts Payable with the appropriate back-up documentation. The following is a summary of the items required to initiate payment:

• Goods: An original packing slip is required as proof of delivery. The original invoice, the original packing slip and a signed and dated receiving report* for both complete and partial deliveries.
• Services: Payment for services performed or maintenance contracts that are charged against a Purchase Order* or contract require receiving report* stating that the services were performed satisfactorily. A receiving report* is required for each payment in addition to the original approved invoice for a recurring monthly charge or partial payment.
• Confirming Invoices: Only an original invoice or vendor issued certified copy of an invoice is acceptable for payment processing. Confirming purchase requisitions submitted without the required documentation will be returned to the department. (These regulations apply to all confirming orders, either processed through the Imprest/Petty Cash Account or those requiring a purchase order to be issued)

Departments who require additional assistance or information regarding vendor and payments to individuals should contact the Accounts Payable office

* This form can only be generated in FOCIS.

A Purchase Requisition* is written notification to the Purchasing Department that a member of the College wishes to buy an item or services to be used in the pursuit or conduct of college business. A Purchase Requisition is an internal document that is never forwarded to a vendor. All purchase requisitions are to be signed by the authorized signatory for each Department (or his/her designee). As a general rule the purchase requisition exists as a request to purchase.

The following information must be included on all purchase requisitions: