Other Services Available

The following services are available from Purchasing Services at no cost to departments upon request.

Budgetary Estimates
Need to know the price of a piece of equipment or some supplies to include in a grant proposal or budget request?

Send an email to Purchasing Services and request a budgetary estimate. Requests must include quantity, product description, manufacturer and model or catalog number of the item(s) needed, the date the estimate is required, and the requester’s contact information. A purchasing agent will prepare a budgetary estimate and respond by email or fax.

Specification Writing
Need assistance in preparing specifications specialized equipment or services?

Send any email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594(prompt 0) and ask for assistance with specification writing. A meeting will be arranged with a purchasing agent to provide assistance. In some cases, Purchasing Services is able to obtain specifications or bid document from other institutions to use as a guide.

RFP Development
Need help preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for services or other special requirements?

Send any email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594(prompt 0) to request assistance with preparing a RFP. A meeting will be arranged with a purchasing agent. In some cases, Purchasing Services is able to obtain RFP’s from other institutions to use as a guide.

Product Sourcing
Need help locating a vendor to supply hard-to-find equipment or supplies required for a project?

Send an email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594(prompt 0) to request assistance with product sourcing. Please include as much information as possible about the item needed. A purchasing agent will search for a source and respond.

Procurement Planning
Need help planning for the purchases of equipment and supplies needed for a new grant, project, or lab?

Send an email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594(prompt 0) to request assistance with procurement planning. A meeting will be arranged with a purchasing agent.

Vendor Problem Resolution
Need help getting a vendor to ship an item or complete a PO? Need help getting a vendor to accept a return or issue a credit? Need help with a disputed invoice?

Send an email to or call the purchasing agent handling the purchase order. If the purchase order is not known or if a purchase order is not involved, send an email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594 (prompt 0).

Vendor Information
Need to know a vendor’s phone number, address, contact person, account number, etc.?

Send an email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594(prompt 0) to request the information needed.

Customized IRIS (SAP R/3) Training
Need additional training on the purchasing functions of the IRIS system, send an email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594(prompt 0) to request assistance. A meeting with a member of the Purchasing Services staff will be arranged to provide additional training.

Other
If other types of assistance or information are required, send an email to Purchasing Services or call 448-5594(prompt 0) to request the assistance required.