Buying Goods & Services
If you are planning to procure goods or services at Tufts University, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Tufts Purchasing Office for sourcing and contractual guidance. Our team provides expertise that can help you minimize cost and risk while maximizing value.
We will gladly assist you with sourcing the specific product and services you require; negotiate pricing and terms; prepare and disseminate requests for quotations, qualifications or proposals, and offer guidance on awards. In addition, we also review, modifiy and execute contracts on behalf of the university. For additional information related to the purchasing process itself, please refer to the Tufts Purchasing Manual and Guidelines on Purchasing Practices.
Electronic Requisitions & Purchase Orders (eREQ)
The Tufts online requisitioning system (eREQ) is available to place an order and have a Purchase Order created for it. This option shall be used for all vendors that are not listed in the Tufts Marketplace, or are unable to accept MasterCard for payment (or if it falls in a restricted pcard category) . An electronic requisition must be created before a purchase order can be issued.
Purchases Over $10,000
Government regulations and Tufts policies require that all purchases over $10,000 follow a more detailed process of vendor selection, bidding, and documentation.
Learn more about the Bid Policy and Capital Expenditure Authorization (CEA) Process.
Purchases Under $5,000
Tufts Marketplace
Sourcing goods and services online from preferred suppliers in a one-stop sourcing, ordering, and payment system. The Marketplace can be used for purchases up to $5,000 without prior authorization from Purchasing, and payment can be made using department IDs or grants.
Procurement Card (PCard)
Immediate payment for purchases up to $5,000 with appropriate suppliers that accept MasterCard (and with those that a procurement card restiction does not exist).
Paying for Travel
Pay for travel-related expenses with a Tufts Corporate Travel Card or through reimbursement (via Apptricity).
Interdepartmental Purchases (IDR)
Interdepartmental Requisitions (IDRs) are used to pay for goods and services ordered from other departments within Tufts.
Facilities & Construction
The Procurement Office has a dedicated team to help manage goods and services for on-campus facilities and construction projects.
Purchasing Technology
When considering the purchase of new technology equipment or software, please first contact a member of Tufts Technology Services to discuss appropriate solutions to meet your needs.
Obtaining PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Tufts Purchasing department has set up procedures to centrally stock a number of PPE items needed to keep the university safe and healthy, including masks (disposable and N95 - which are just for clinical and labs), disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer/liquid gel, gloves, and cleaning supplies.
Please contact your department administrator who should have access to a form to request these items. If they do not have access to the form or you have a "special request", please send email to ppe@elist.tufts.edu.
Provided by Finance