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Department of Computer Science
Business Office

Purchasing

Review the purchasing methods and requirements.

Before you Buy!

All purchasing methods listed below require approval before purchase.

CSC Spending Request Form

Purchasing Methods

There are several methods that can be used to make departmental purchases. These methods are listed below, ranked in order of preference.

MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace is a self-service e-procurement tool that automates the entire procurement-to-payment process, saving time and money. Approved buyers can browse for goods and services, create and submit orders for approval, send orders to suppliers, and keep track of order receipts online. Always shop the MarketPlace first.

View “How to Navigate to the MarketPlace.”

View “Instructions for MarketPlace Purchases“

PCARDS

A Pcard is a credit card used for NC State University business purposes for purchases below $5,000. The finance team can assist you with your Pcard purchases.

Allowable Pcard purchases include:

  • Prepaid Travel Expenses: Airfare and conference registration. An approved travel authorization is required before payment.
  • Non-Marketplace Purchases Under $5,000: Check the MarketPlace first before requesting to use a Pcard. All purchases should be tax-exempt. If taxes are displayed online at checkout, submit the sales tax exemption form to the vendor to remove the taxes.

NON-MARKETPLACE REQUISITIONS

All purchases exceeding $5,000 require a requisition to be submitted. Non-Marketplace Requisitions are for goods or services above $5,000 that cannot be purchased from a Marketplace supplier.

NC State’s Procurement Thresholds and Requirements

AmountRequirements
$0 – $4,999Shop the MarketPlace catalogs first, then shop and select from the State Term contracts or University, and National consortium contracts, and pay with the PCard.
$5,000 – $30,999Shop the MarketPlace catalogs first, then Shop the State Term contracts and University and National consortium contracts. Obtain quotes from three qualified suppliers to ensure the best price and value. Submit the best value quote of those obtained from qualified suppliers. Submit a memo documenting the reason that the State Term Contract is not used, if applicable. Note: A Waiver of Competition memo is not required.
$31,0000 and above
Create the specifications and submit them with the requisition. If the supplier is known, submit a memo of justification to waive the competitive bidding process.

Gifts/Research Incentives

Please review the Gift/Research Incentives guidelines here.

IT Purchases

IT purchases require approval from the IT team. You can purchase small computer accessories, such as keyboards and headphones, on the Marketplace yourself.