Last modified: November 13, 2023

6210 Procedure 1 Purchasing

Download 6210 Purchase / Payment Procedures

I. Vendor Selection

A. Quote and Bid Requirements

Single item purchases equal to or above $5,000 require a minimum of two written quotes.
If a total transaction is equal to or above $10,000 (regardless of single item cost), two written quotes are required before purchase. Any transaction equal to or above $10,000 is required to be entered into Linq prior to purchase.
Single item purchases equal to or above $5,000 require a minimum of two written quotes and must be entered into Linq for approval. Business Services will assist if necessary. (With the exception of Child Nutrition Department which must obtain quotes on anything above $10,000.)
New single item purchases over $50,000 require three written quotes and Board approval. Items over $50,000 approved by the board during the budget process do not require additional approval for purchase. Quotes and approval must be documented before purchase is made or contract is signed. Business Services will assist in obtaining quotes if necessary. Requisitions must be entered into Linq for approval.
Purchases over $80,000 require a sealed bid/RFP, which must be processed by Business Services and approved by the board.
Purchases may not be artificially divided to defeat purchasing policy or procedures per state purchasing code and rule
See part IV for purchases requiring contracts.

B. Vendor Selection

Utah State Procurement Code requires lowest bid from qualified/preselected vendors unless use of a higher priced vendor is justified. Exceptions to procurement code must approved by Business Services.
The district may use state contracts for vendor selection at all levels without additional bids. Federal child nutrition standards still require additional bids regardless of state contract status.
Employees who are purchasing supplies or services for Provo City School District may not ask for or receive any payment or personal gain from vendors or suppliers.
Sole source justifications are infrequently granted and must be requested in writing for district purchasing approval. Sole source justification form 6210 F4 must be completed.
Purchases for Provo City School District Child Nutrition Program must comply with the Buy American Provision Requirements. See below
- Section 104(d) of the William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-336) added a provision, Section 12(n) to the NSLA (42 USC 1760(n)), requiring school food authorities (SFAs) to purchase, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic commodity or product. Section 12(n) of the NSLA defines “domestic commodity or product” as an agricultural commodity that is produced in the U.S. and a food product that is processed in the U.S. substantially using agricultural commodities produced in the U.S. “Substantially” means over 51% from American products. Therefore, over 51% of the final processed product (by weight or volume) must consist of agricultural commodities that were grown domestically. Thus, for foods that are unprocessed, agricultural commodities must be domestic, and for foods that are processed, they must be processed domestically using domestic agricultural food components that are comprised of over 51% domestically grown items, by weight or volume. The product’s food component is considered the agricultural commodity. “Food component” means one of the food groups which comprises reimbursable meals. The food components are: meats/meat alternates, grains, vegetables, fruits, and fluid milk. Processed products must contain over 51% of the product’s food component, by weight or volume, from U.S. origin. Products from Guam, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands are allowed under this provision as territories of the U.S. The Buy American provision (7 CFR 210.21(d) is one of the procurement standards SFAs must comply with when purchasing commercial food products served in the school meals programs.
- For compliance and audition purposes, the SFA will require in writing from the supplier (i.e., manufacturer or distributor) specific information about the percentage of U.S. content in any processed end product in order to document domestic percentage (written certification describing domestic content of the agricultural food component of commodities and products is required), and delivery invoices and receipts identifying the country of origin as being the U.S. or its territories, and in the case of a non-domestic product, a limited exception. Limited exceptions are limited exceptions to the provision which allow for the purchase of products not meeting the “domestic” standard (non-domestic) in circumstances when use of domestic products is truly not practicable. Before utilizing an exception, alternatives to purchasing non-domestic food products will be considered. Limited exceptions will be used as a last resort. Exceptions to the provision are: 1) The product is not produced or manufactured in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available quantities of a satisfactory quality; or 2) Competitive bids reveal the costs of a U.S. product are significantly higher than the non-domestic product.
- The Buy American provision supports local and small businesses. Using food products from local sources supports local farmers and provides healthy choices for children in the school meal programs while supporting the local economy. Requiring compliance with the Buy American provision also supports SFAs working with local, or small, minority, and women-owned businesses as required by Federal regulations (2 CFR 200.321). Affirmative steps must be taken to assure that small and minority businesses, and women-owned businesses are used when possible. Affirmative steps include: 1) Placing qualified small and minority businesses, and women-owned businesses on solicitation lists; 2) Assuring that small and minority businesses, and women-owned businesses are solicited whenever they are potential sources; and 3) Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce.

C. Conflict of Interest

Where a possible conflict of interest exists, all vendor selections must be made through Business Services and a Conflict Of Interest Form 6210 F5 must be submitted.

D. Budget Considerations

Approval for purchases will be contingent on available budget. Purchases over available budget will be returned to requestor.

E. Placing Orders

Bid proposals and/or approvals are required for the following:
- Purchase request – (can be submitted at any $ into Alio)
- Purchase Cards (p-cards) – See policy/procedure 6215.

II. Purchase / Payment Approvals

All purchases/payments require two district employees’ approval. All requisitions for vendors must be entered into Linq.

A. Less than $5,000 for a single item and total transaction does not exceed $9,999

No bids required. (Child nutrition must obtain two quotes for anything above $3,500).

B. Single item purchases equal to or above $5,000 or a total transaction of equal to or above $10,000

C. Two written quotes are required.

Requisitions must be entered into Linq for approval. Purchases from vendors who do not accept purchase orders must be made by Business Services after quotes are obtained. (With the exception of the Child Nutrition Department which must obtain quotes on anything above $3,500).$50,000+

New single item purchases or projects
Must be presented to the Board of Education for approval unless approval was obtained during the budget process.
Prior signature of the proper principal, director, district council member, or superintendent or of their acting replacement in his or her absence.
Prior signature of the business administrator.
Prior signature of the superintendent.
Single item purchases or projects over $50,000 require a minimum of three written quotes and must be entered into Linq after board approval. Business Services will assist in acquiring bids when necessary.
Single item purchases or projects over $80,000 require a sealed bid/RFP, which must be processed by Business Services.

D. Building Additions, Improvements, and Modifications

Prior approval from the Capital Facilities Committee
Prior approval of the board for all projects with a total cost of over $50,000.
Projects may not be artificially divided to defeat purchasing policy or procedures.

E. See Construction Procurement Policy 6212.Approval Thresholds

Requisitions over $20,000 require superintendent and business administrator approval.
Requisitions for single items over $50,000 require board approval.

III. Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders

A. Select a Vendor (See Section I)

If vendor is not in Linq, a W-9 must be submitted to District Business Services to be entered into Linq.

B. Placing an order

Requisition must be entered into Linq. Required bids must be kept with purchase documentation and scanned into Archive when purchase order is created.
School/Department staff will submit purchase order to vendor for order.

C. Receiving Purchase Orders

The receiver will:
- Open packages and boxes when they are delivered.
- Check the contents for correct quantity, damage, and correct items shipped.
- Notify Vendor of shortages, overages, incorrect items, or damaged items.
- Receive the Purchase Order in Linq.
- Stamp the invoice with the ‘Accounts Payable Stamp’ or write required information on invoice (purchase order, date received, vendor number).
- Scan the invoice and drop in Linq Archive in the Unfiled folder
- Accounts Payable will process the invoice for payment unless payment is made by school checking account.

IV. Contracts

A. Contacts

If the purpose of the purchase requires a contract, lease agreement, or other legally binding agreement to be entered into, a copy of the contract MUST be signed by the Business Administrator, including addendums.
ALL software contracts MUST have a Non-Disclosure Agreement signed by the vendor attached as part of the contract, see 6210 F10.

See policy 6220 for Personal Service/Consultant Contracts.

V. Change Order

Any change to purchase orders or contracts that increases the cost must be approved and processed by Business Services prior to any change in the contract, delivery or acceptance of additional goods or commencement of additional work.

VI. District Payment Methods

A. Accounts Payable

School or District Accounts Payable is preferred payment method for any purchase with an invoice.
Accounts payable pays all district purchase order items and invoiced amounts.
All invoices received related to a District Purchase Order;
- Verify and receive item(s) in Linq.
- Stamp the invoice with the ‘Accounts Payable Stamp’ or write required information on the invoice.
- Scan the invoice and any bid documentation and attach it in Linq Archive in the Unfiled folder.
- Accounts Payable will process the invoice for payment.
Weekly check runs are on Wednesdays. Invoices received by Friday will be processed the following week.
Employee Reimbursement
- All employee reimbursements should have documented preapproval for the reimbursement. Requisitions must be entered into Linq for appropriate approval and payment with the regular check run. Payment will be deposited in employee’s primary account used for payroll.

B. PurchaseCards (US Bank p-cards) (see 6211 P1)

C. Change boxes

District Change Boxes
- The change box is available in the District cashier’s office and is to be used for book fair start-up funds and other school needs. Elementary schools must obtain start-up funds from Business Services.
- The change box is to be stored in a secure area.
- Employee reimbursements must be done through Accounts Payable
Secondary School Change Boxes
- Petty Cash may be kept by the secondary schools’ MAIN OFFICE for miscellaneous use and must abide by the following:
  - All petty cash funds and amounts must be approved by Business Services.
  - Change boxes shall not contain more money than necessary for current activities.
  - Shall not be used for receipting monies for services provided or making purchases.
  - Shall be accounted for on an imprest basis with a monthly reconciliation.
  - Shall be kept in a safe/locked location.
  - Employees checking out change boxes should verify beginning cash amounts and provide reconciliation upon return. Amounts over beginning total must be deposited in the proper account and the original total returned to the safe.

VII. School Account Payments

All funds received from school fundraisers, student fees, etc. are to be deposited in the authorized school checking account.
Schools are only authorized to establish one school checking account, and the business administrator must be an established as a signor on the account.
School debit cards drawn against the school checking account may be issued. School debit cards follow district purchasing procedures and policies.
No other checking, charge, or financial accounts may be established by the school.
The school checking account is to be used only to pay school purchases which are to be charged against the school account budget. District payment and vendor selection procedures must be followed.
Pre-approval must be given before purchases can be made.
Requisitions can be entered into Linq for approval and payment.

VIII. Employee Payments

A. Employee Compensation

All employee compensation of a cash basis must be processed through the payroll system. Gift cards given for additional work or recognition, regardless of amount, will be taxed through the payroll system the month after a gift card is given.

B. Employee Reimbursements (not including travel)

With the additional purchase cards provided, employee reimbursements should not be necessary. In the event that a purchase card did not work or other situations arise, employee reimbursements should be small and infrequent in nature (around $50). Any exceptions must be approved by Business Services.
Employees who purchase items and seek reimbursement must receive prior written authorization from their director before purchase is made. Proof of authorization must be included with reimbursement request.
Reimbursements must be completed within 30 days of purchase.
Reimbursements will not be made for items that are not in compliance with the wellness policy (see Policy 3401).
Reimbursements should not be sought by teachers until teacher supply money has been fully expended. Receipts for expended teacher supply money should be submitted to the secretary before reimbursements are made.