Buying Goods or Services

Baylor Marketplace

Baylor Marketplace features the University's online catalog with preferred University suppliers. Shopping the Marketplace is similar to shopping online, and offers many benefits:

• Access to multiple approved suppliers, products, and centrally located catalogs. Using a marketplace supplier means no need to obtain quotes, complete supplier registration, or negotiate contracts
• Easy to identify and place orders for contracted items
• The best prices negotiated on historical and forecasted University usage
• Required approvals automatically routed
• Electronic ordering and invoicing are completed automatically in Ignite
• Supplier performance is monitored by Procurement and Payment Services

The Marketplace may be accessed by selecting Purchase Requisitions in Ignite’s Procurement module.

Other Preferred Suppliers and Strategic Contracts

Preferred suppliers & strategic contracts are contracts with suppliers that have been selected through a competitive process and the terms are secured at the best value in these agreements. If a supplier, good, or service is not in the Marketplace; we encourage you to search the list of current contracted suppliers to verify if an agreement is available. 

PREFERRED AND CONTRACTED SUPPLIERS

*Please note the agreement number for the desired contract; it will need to be added in the Non-Catalog Request to ensure you receive the agreement benefits. 

Competitive Bid Requirements

If there is no preferred supplier or strategic contract for the goods or services needed, a bid may be necessary. The table below provides a brief summary of university guidelines.

Competitive Bid Thresholds

• For purchases with a potential value of less than $25,000
  • Competitive quotes are not required
  • There must be no preferred or strategic supplier available and the pricing must be commercially reasonable
  • A purchase order is required
• For purchases greater than $25,000 but less than $100,000
  • Procurement Services must obtain three (3) or more quotes
  • Must be no preferred or strategic supplier available and requisition must well define need and specification
  • A purchase order is required
• For purchases greater than $100,000
  • Formal request process required 
  • Strategic Sourcing will manage the process

*An order may not be split to circumvent the competitive bid requirements 

**All purchases are subject to Baylor’s Procurement Policy. In the event of a conflict between this table and the policy, the policy shall prevail. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to be familiar with the policy. 

Purchasing Cards

Baylor Purchasing Cards (P-Cards) are University-liability credit cards issued in the names of authorized, trained individuals to purchase certain eligible goods and services in support of the university. Only eligible direct business expenses may be charged; personal purchases are strictly prohibited. All transactions must be supported by a detailed business purpose and proof of purchase documentation and reconciled in Ignite Expense. Improper use of the card, including use for personal purchases, may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

P-Cards may be used in circumstances where a purchase is within the limits of the card program and a purchase order is impractical. Please see the Purchasing Card Policy for more detailed information.