Purchasing Manual

The Purchasing Manual describes the policies and procedures used to obtain
goods and services for Colorado State University. Additional training in specific areas may be
required in order to fully utilize the University’s procurement systems.

Download Purchasing Manual (PDF)
  1. General Information
  2. Requisition (REQ)
  3. Automatic Purchase Order (APO)
  4. Procurement Card (PCard)
  5. Disbursement Voucher
  6. Internal Order
  7. Receipt of Goods or Services
  8. Sponsored Programs Equipment Screening & Acquisition
  9. Surplus Property Acquisition
  10. Food Service Purchasing Procedures
  11. Bookstore Purchasing Procedures
  12. Library Purchasing Procedures
  13. Conference Services Purchasing Procedures
  14. Research Center Purchasing Procedures
  15. Livestock Feed/Bedding Purchasing Procedure
  16. Livestock Purchase Procedures
  17. Search Firms
  18. Supplier Inclusion Program

Dollar Thresholds by Funding Source, including Federal Uniform Guidance

Dollar Thresholds Non-Federal Dollars Federal Dollars
Up to $10K Automatic Purchase Order (APO) Automatic Purchase Order

  • Can be issued if price is reasonable

  • Purchases must be distributed among qualified suppliers, if practicable
$10-$50K Shop Catalogs Compliant Shop Catalogs
$10-$50K Purchasing Agent Discretion

  • Informal Quote Summary
 Purchasing Agent Discretion

  • Reviewed for price reasonableness

  • Informal Quote Summary
$50-500K Documented Quotes (DQ) Documented Quotes (DQ)
Greater than $500K
  • Invitation for Bids (IFB), or

  • Request for Proposals (RFP)
  • Invitation for Bids (IFB), or

  • Request for Proposals (RFP)