Allowable Use
The Purchasing Card can be used for delegated departmental purchases of allowable goods (most types of purchases made with a
Departmental Purchase Order) from vendors who accept Visa. Purchases are limited to $4999 per vendor per day, with a $10,000 daily limit. Typical purchases include:
- Items available on university supply agreements. (Note: Purchasing Card can only be used up to the $4999 daily limit per vendor, regardless of agreement limit.)
- Low-value supply purchases not available on a university supply agreement or at a lower total cost through a UCD service (e.g., ReproGraphics, Central Storehouse).
- Published materials - Advertisements and copyrighted materials, including books, educational films, CDs and video tapes.
- Memberships (Additional documentation and approvals required)
- Utility Payments
- Office Furniture (up to $500) -- See the Procedures section of the DPO online reference manual; office furniture purchases exceeding $500 should be made using UCD Buy or the Furniture Program.
- Registration Fees for Conferences/Training Classes (only allowable when no travel/entertainment costs are being claimed)
Purchasing cards
cannot be used for the following:
- Travel-related expenses
- Entertainment expenses, including food for business meetings
- Items or services for personal use
- Excluded items
- Inventorial equipment
- Cash advances
- Services, except utilities
- Departmental Repair Orders (see PPM Section 350-21)
- Postage or mail services, unless under an existing campus agreement
- Any items requiring the signing of a vendor agreement (e.g., customizable software)
- Non-office furniture
More information on what can and cannot be purchased on the Purchasing Card is in the Policy and Procedure Manual, section
350-22.
See the Purchasing Decision Chart for a list of acceptable purchasing options, including for those situations where a Purchasing Card cannot be used.
See the Travel Web site for information on processing travel and entertainment expenses.
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