University of Missouri System

Management Services

Procurement Services

Purchasing Policy Manual

301 Delegation of Authority

The government of the University of Missouri is vested in a Board of Curators by the constitution of the State of Missouri, Article IX Section 9(a). The Board of Curators consists of nine members appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The policies governing and controlling purchasing practices for the University have been established and approved by the Board of Curators and published in the Collected Rules and Regulations.

Delegation by the Board of Curators

The Board of Curators has delegated to the President of the University of Missouri System authority for procurement of supplies, equipment and services in compliance with the following policies from the Collected Rules and Regulations.

The President is authorized to:

1. Participate in cooperative purchasing arrangements with any public entity or group, and execute purchase contracts for the University under these arrangements, the procurement methods and procedures of such entity or group are consistent with University policies; and to procure supplies and equipment for use at the University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital and Clinics at contract prices arrived at through or negotiations by the approved consortiums when in the best interest of the University.
2. Reject bids, reissue bids, or purchase items or services, on the open market if can be purchased at a better price than bid.
   

Board of Curators approval shall be obtained for:

1. Purchase for unique items or services which do not lend themselves to competitive bidding when the cost is more than $500,000, except for proprietary licenses or maintenance agreements necessary for operation of University computing equipment, which case the President shall be authorized to enter into these contracts.
2. Consultant agreements, when arrived at through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or sole source, if they exceed $250,000. Consultant agreements, when arrived at through a Request for Proposal (RFP) (where price is a component of the evaluation criteria), do not require Board approval.

Further Delegation

As authorized by the University President, the administrative purchasing policies are set and approved by the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The Vice President Finance and Administration is further authorized by the President to govern and manage purchasing and contracting operations and negotiations for resolution of these matters for the University in compliance with Board of Curators' policies.

The Vice President for Finance and Administration has delegated to the Associate Vice President for Management Services the authority and responsibility to govern and manage the purchasing and contracting operations of the University in compliance with Board of Curators' policies and administrative policies.

Approval Authority for Purchases

A requisition for purchase of supplies, equipment or services shall be approved only by a person who has been properly authorized by the University administration in accordance with established University policy. The Campus Procurement Manager and the UM Chief Procurement Officer, have full authority to question the quality, quantity, kind, and source of materials and services being requisitioned.

• The UM Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to approve purchase orders and contracts within limits delegated by the Associate Vice President for Management Services.
• The Campus Procurement Managers are authorized to approve purchase orders and contracts within limits delegated by the UM Chief Procurement Officer.
• The Campus Procurement Managers may delegate to their assistants and buyers the authority to approve purchase requisitions, orders and contracts within limits delegated to them.
• The Campus Procurement Managers may delegate to departments authorization to transact small dollar purchases in accordance with prescribed University policies and procedures.