University Purchasing

University of Massachusetts > Competitive Bidding Contracts

Use of Purchasing Contracts

Non-competitive purchases, without benefit of public bids or a recognized contract, must be $5000 or less in value. The University recognizes four types of contracts, competitively bid, which enable departments to order materials in excess of the $5,000 limit without further bidding:

These contracts leverage the University's combined buying power. In exchange, the contract participants offer special pricing based on the vendor's anticipation of business to be realized during the contract term.

Departments are encouraged to use contracts, regardless of the dollar amount to realize savings, to support the intent of the contract, and to meet Board of Trustee requirements. Note that a University purchasing contract should always take precedence over any similar contract that might be offered by any other contracting entity.

Competitive Bidding

Competitive Bidding is administered by each campus purchasing department or by the University Purchasing Council (for system-wide contracts). Requests for Bids are usually issued for:

• Equipment/Goods (exceeding $5000);
• Operational Services exceeding $25,000; and
• Consulting Services exceeding $50,000.

Within these dollar thresholds, each campus purchasing director makes a determination of the need and method of competitive bidding.

University Trustee Policies strongly encourage public announcement of University Requests for Bids and the inclusion of minority and women owned business. University Requests for Bids may be announced in newspapers, posted on campus websites, and/or vendors may request to be placed on University Bid lists. The University reserves the right to advertise public bid requests or not, based upon the best interest of the University and the campuses.