Buying Goods & Services
If you’re planning to buy goods or services, we encourage you to contact Tufts Purchasing for assistance. Our team provides expertise that can help you minimize cost and risk while maximizing value.
We can help you with:
- Finding available products and services
- Negotiating pricing and terms
- RFPs and obtaining bids from vendors
- Contracts
For detailed information about the purchasing process, see the Tufts Purchasing Manual and Guidelines on Purchasing Practices.
How does the purchasing process work at Tufts?
Buying and paying for goods and services at Tufts is based on the type of purchase, the total amount of the purchase, and how the purchase is made. Purchasing team members can work with you to choose the best option based on your needs.
Purchases Under $5,000
Tufts Marketplace
Order 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 authorization from Purchasing, and payment can be made using department IDs or grants.
Procurement Card (PCard)
Pay immediately for purchases up to $5,000 from any supplier that accepts MasterCard.
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.
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. Choose this option for vendors who are not listed in the Tufts Marketplace or who cannot accept MasterCard. A requisition must be created before a purchase order can be issued.
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, you should contact Tufts Technology Services to discuss appropriate solutions to meet your needs.