All purchases for goods or services not related to travel must be procured through a purchase order in BuyWays. Buyers are responsible for obtaining quotes from vendor and submitting to the Business Office. Any time a signature is required to enter into an agreement, the Business office will initiate the contract process.
BuyWays is the online system for the purchase of goods and services by the University. It supports both catalog (supplier punchout) and non-catalog purchases, driving preferred pricing, supplier discounts, and real-time status updates on requisitions, purchase orders, and approvals.
You are encouraged to make BuyWays your first stop when looking to purchase goods and services for use within the University.
In order to gain access to BuyWays, UMass employees are required to take the Shopper/Requisitioner Training and complete individual campus requirements.
See the Trainings and Information Sessions page for more information.
The following procedure must be followed when purchasing anything:
Purchase orders must be placed by the staff member and can be assisted by the Business & Operations Manager when needed in accordance with UMass Boston’s purchasing policy. It is against University policy to purchase anything without a purchase order number generated. A purchase order number ensures that the account being used has appropriate funds to purchase the good, service, etc.
For purchases over $10,000 in all categories, three (3) quotes must be obtained appropriately and as far in advance of intended purchase as possible, at least one quote must be from a state contract vendor. In the event that one of the state vendors does not provide an item or service, all three (3) quotes can be obtained from outside vendors.
Any purchase over $50,000 must be purchased in a sealed bid through UPST.
In the case of purchases relating to individual travel, the buyer should use their US Bank card to book flights, hotels, rental cars, conference registration fees, etc. All requests for professional development must be approved by immediate supervisor prior to booking.
