About Us

Procurement Services is responsible for the sourcing, purchasing, and payment of goods and services for the University.

What We Do

We are responsible for negotiating and signing most consultant contracts and other service agreements with suppliers in addition to processing employee expense reimbursements and prize and award payments made by the University. In addition, our team maintains the vendor file utilized for Purchasing and Accounts Payable transactions.

Our Units

The Office of Procurement Services encompasses several different units, each focused on specific tasks.

Purchasing

Purchasing is a unit within Procurement Services responsible for the following activities:

  • Sourcing new vendors
  • Conducting competitive bidding and negotiating contracts
  • Reviewing, approving, and signing service contracts
  • Providing customer service to school and department clients looking to shop for goods and services
  • Overseeing procurement policy
  • Approving applicable purchases in the CU Marketplace 

Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable (AP) is a unit within Procurement Services responsible for processing the following:

  • Vendor invoices for goods and services
  • Vouchers
  • Payments for prizes, awards, royalties, select fellowships, and others
  • Credit balance refunds for various accounts
  • Expense reimbursements for University employees
  • Petty cash account openings and replenishments 
Payment Cards

Payment Cards is a sub-unit of Accounts Payable responsible for overseeing and managing the following card products at Columbia University:

  • P-Cards
  • University Corporate Cards
  • Pay cards for human subjects studies

Vendor Management

Vendor Management is a unit within Procurement Services responsible for authenticating, updating, and verifying vendors and suppliers doing business with or seeking to do business with Columbia University. Vendor Management provides guidance for registering in the University supplier management tool, PaymentWorks. They also build relationships with Columbia schools and departments and work to resolve payee issues for individuals and entities doing business with Columbia. 

Travel and Expense

Travel and Expense is a sub-unit of Procurement Services responsible for providing tools that faculty, staff, and students need to manage travel and expenses associated with Columbia University business. T&E provides guidance for using Concur, a travel and expense management system.