Buyers on Procurement Teams –  grouped by commodities- can provide assistance with questions about current contracts that are available for campus use. 

An agreement with specific terms between two or more persons or entities in which there is a promise to do something in return for a valuable benefit known as consideration and must include specific elements.

The University has contracts for many goods and services for use by the campus as a whole. For example, all of the catalogs in eProcurement are based on contracts negotiated by Purchasing. Generally, contracts are set up for several years, with options to extend for additional time periods. Contracts contain terms and conditions- such as warranties and insurance- that protect the University. Purchase orders created by Buyers are also considered contracts.  Purchase orders are generally created in response to a specific requirement from a department.   

• RCW (Revised Code of Washington)  Grants UW statutory authorities relating to procurement

• WAC (Washington Administrative Code)  Rules and Regulations regarding state agencies

• FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations)  Applies to federally funded purchases

• UCC (Uniform Commercial Code)  Adopted by majority of states – sets standards for business transactions

Washington State Legislature -> Board of Regents -> UW President -> Senior VP for Finance and Facilities -> Director of Purchasing -> Purchasing Buyer

(Purchasing Buyers are considered Agents of the University and are authorized to act on behalf of the University.)  Note: Campus departments do not have the authority to execute purchasing contracts.