What is it?
The “direct buy limit” is a specified dollar limitation set by the Washington State Legislature under which purchases may be made without securing competitive pricing. Competition or justification for vendor selection not required. Departments may place orders with suppliers of choice within the direct buy limits without prior approval of Purchasing Services. Some exceptions may apply.
Click here for more information about exceptions to the Direct Buy Limit.
What are the current Direct Buy Limits?
The Direct Buy Limit applies to:
- Goods and Services $5,000 or under*
- Information Technology $9,999 or under
- Personal Services (Consulting) $4,999 or under
- Informal Bid** for Goods & Services $50,000 or under
*ProCard and employee reimbursement limits will remain at $3,500
**Informal Bid for Goods & Services Defined: Purchases between the Direct Buy limit and up to the Informal Bid limit (before trade-in allowance, sales tax and freight charges) are to be competitively solicited and documented. A minimum of three quotations shall be sought and vendors shall be notified using WEBS. The requirement to receive at least three informal quotes, and at least one women-owned and one minority-owned business be notified of the bid opportunity, will remain in effect.
Exceptions to the Direct Buy Limit:
There are small dollar “exception” items that can be purchased using PAS requisitions, but the exception must be noted in the requisition. Purchases with a cost exceeding the direct-buy-limit require participation by Purchasing buyers, (exception: eProcurement purchases from contract vendors).
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 Did you know the direct buy limit does not apply to eProcurement transactions?
Why is this?
- UW has established competitive contracts with all the suppliers in eProcurement.
You can purchase at any dollar amount approved by your department.
- You can purchase through eProcurement with full confidence that your transaction and any follow up actions such as delivery, installation, returns and maintenance are protected by a formal contract with the supplier.
- eProcurement is the preferred purchasing method
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How does this apply to Procard?
The Procard single transaction limit is set at $3,500 including taxes, freight etc. If a Procard purchase exceeds the single transaction limit, the Procard Staff can approve that transaction by request of the department approving the purchase. Please see the ProCard website for the
transaction limit increase procedure.
IF PAS is used for purchases below the direct-buy limit (before tax and/or freight), a “below small dollar limit” justification must be entered as part of the PAS requisition (effective 7/1/2009).
