The Purchasing Card (also known as "pcard") is the University's primary tool for purchases up to $2,500. The State of Maryland mandates use of the purchasing card for single transactions up to $2,500 however, the UMCP Policy and Procedures for Delegated Purchasing Authority, Policy VIII-3.10 (B), revised 5/00, allows delegated units to make purchases up to $5,000 per single transaction. Authority to use the purchasing card for purchases up to $5,000 requires a request from your department head. In the absence of this request, single transaction limits will remain at $2,500.

The purchasing card is to be used to purchase goods and services required for daily departmental operation. It is not to be used for restaurants, travel or recreation (we anticipate a travel card will be available by the end of this calendar year.) The use of procurement cards will:

  • Expedite the ordering and delivery of goods and services
  • Eliminate the need for issuing requisitions and processing invoices
  • Provide significant savings in the cost of the procurement/payment
  • process
  • Allow the department to have direct contact with suppliers
  • Simplify purchasing

To request purchasing cards:

To obtain cardholder agreement forms visit the Procurement & Supply website at

www.purchase.umd.edu and choose "forms" from the menu, then choose "purchasing cardholder agreement" or contact the Department of Procurement and Supply to request forms (phone numbers and email addresses are listed below).

Cardholder agreements are completed by the requesting department personnel, approved by the department head, and submitted to Procurement and Supply for processing. Remember to indicate a single transaction limit and a monthly credit limit.

In approximately 2 weeks the purchasing card will be received from the Bank.

Procurement and Supply will review the card information for accuracy, and the cardholder will be notified of the available cardholder training dates. Cardholders are required to attend training before they receive a purchasing card.

Questions about the Purchasing Card Program may be directed to Marty Newman, (301) 405-5834, menewman@umd.edu or Kristina Libby, (301) 405-5839, klibby@umd.edu.

 

 

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