Purchasing & Contracting

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Contracting & Procurement

Welcome to Contracting and Procurement Services

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Our Mission

Contracting and Procurement Services (CAPS) provides guidance, support, and leadership throughout the campus procurement process to support the mission of the University. Our commitment is to provide fair, cost-effective, efficient procurement services that promote integrity, transparency, and accountability.

CAPS is committed to pursuing best value solutions through fair and competitive processes while maintaining professionalism, customer service, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Our Services

  • Review, negotiate, and execute contracts
  • Develop and manage solicitations including Request for Quotes (RFQ), Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitations to Bid (ITB), and Request for Information (RFI)
  • Provide contractor and supplier recommendations 
  • Provide training on best contracting and procurement practices 
  • Promote the purchase of sustainable and accessible products and equipment 
  • Promote the use of diverse and equitable vendors and suppliers
  • Maintain ePSU Marketplace for online purchase of goods

Signature Authority 

All goods and services contracts must be sent to Contracting and Procurement Services for signature. A "Contract" may be a PSU-templated contract document, or may include any documentation you receive from an external party that includes agreements, terms, conditions, or requires a signature. The authority to sign agreements on behalf of the University is very limited. Signature Authority is based on Job Title/Position. Faculty and staff outside of Contracting and Procurement Services typically do NOT have authority to sign contracts. Only those with authorized signature authority can sign contracts and accept terms and conditions on behalf of PSU. See PSU's Signature Authority & Delegation Policy to see who has signature authority for PSU.

SFO Delegated Contracts: Authorized and trained SFOs, as defined in the SFO Delegated Contract Procedure, have been granted authority to sign Catering, Events, Hotel and Resorts, and Bus Charter contracts with a value up to $15,000 in accordance with and subject to procedures established by Contracting and Procurement Services. PSCs and International Contracts of any kind are NOT included in this delegation.

Solicitation Thresholds

PSU is required to comply with the thresholds, methods, and procedures of procurement described in PSU Standard 580-61 and PSU Standard 580-62 (formerly Oregon Administrative Rules). For Federally-Funded procurements, CAPS is required to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations 2 CFR 200, subpart D - also referred to as Uniform Guidance (UG). 

Thresholds for Federal Funds

  • $10,000 or less: Direct Procurement – No solicitation process required, but a Contract is/may be required.
  • $10,001 - $250,000: Informal solicitation process required - Request for Quote (RFQ)
  • $250,001 and greater: Formal solicitation process required - Request for Proposal (RFP)

Thresholds for Non-Federal Funds

  • $50,000 or less: Direct Procurement – No solicitation process required, but a Contract is/may be required.
  • $50,001 - $200,000: Informal solicitation process required - Request for Quote (RFQ)
  • $200,001 and greater: Formal solicitation process required - Request for Proposal (RFP)

If a Department is executing a Contract for Goods & Services valued over $50,000 (or over $10,000 if Federally-Funded), the Department must complete the Solicitation Request Form and submit it to CAPS at contract@pdx.edu. Upon receipt of the form, a CAPS Contract Officer will review the request and work on drafting the informal or formal solicitation process documentation (RFP, RFQ, or ITB). 

Ethics

All PSU staff and faculty are subject to the Oregon Ethics Laws (ORS 244). Contracting with any business in which you or your family member has a financial interest in maybe a conflict. If you have any questions or concerns of this nature, please contact Contracting and Procurement Services before proceeding.

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