Procurement

Requisition Processing Timelines

Below are a list of requisition guidelines and processing time expectations.  

For complex or high-dollar transactions, involving Procurement early in the process will yield the best results.

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Under which category does my requisition fall?

What is considered a simple requisition?
  • A simple requisition is one where the cost of the goods or services is below the $25,000 threshold for bidding
Simple contract renewals:
  • Do not require rebidding
  • Use Michigan State University terms and conditions on the contract
RFPs and contract renewals are considered complex if any of the following apply:
  • Rebidding is required
  • The contract does not use Michigan State University terms and conditions
  • Contracts are campuswide and require the involvement of stakeholders
  • Multiple rounds of negotiations are required
  • The project is sole or single sourced
  • Many IT contracts are categorized as high complexity
Is your purchase IT related?
  • Complete the IT Readiness form, then download and attach it to the requisition (or provide it to the appropriate Procurement agent). The process will not move forward without it.
  • Due to potential security and accessibility reviews, IT purchases can take additional time to process. Read more about IT Procurement.
Requisitions are considered complex if any of the following apply:
  • Cost for the goods or services is equal to or greater than the $25,000 threshold and requires bidding
  • Contract does not use Michigan State University terms and conditions
If your purchase is equal to or greater than the $25,000 bid threshold and you are requesting a single or sole source, include that justification with the requisition.
Keep fiscal year-end cut-off dates in mind when making purchases.
  • Foreign orders may take an additional 2-3 weeks in processing time.
  • Requisitions in which there is a conflict of interest may take 3-4 months in additional processing time.
  • Orders requiring a criminal background check may take additional processing time.
  • Order approvals required by non-UPL entities may take additional processing time.

Tutorials

Job aids have been developed to assist in understanding the requisition and purchase order processes.

Requisitions (Videos) Purchase Orders
Creating a Complex Requisition (interactive) Purchase Order Overview
Creating a Standard Requisition (interactive) Searching for a PO
How to Copy a Requisition (1:00) How to Close an Open PO
Importing Line Items (2:02) PO: Responding to Contract Manager Notes/Changes
Reading a Route Log (1:09) PO: Sending Notes to a Buyer
Searching a Requisition (1:45)

PCard limit options

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Read about PCard single transaction limits and monthly spending threshold options.

Signatures

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Learn about MSU Signature Authority

Contact Procurement

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Find out who to contact in Procurement, based on the commodity.