Buying

Faculty have the authority to make purchases that are compliant with UC San Diego purchasing guidelines.*

In compliance with UC San Diego policy, there are 3 ways you can make purchases:

1. Recharge: using your index number to make purchases on campus via recharge is one of the most convenient ways to make official purchases.
   1. How to Buy Using Recharge
   2. Campus Vendors
2. Express Card: use this method to make purchases of non-restricted items from off-campus vendors in amounts up to $4,999.00.
   1. Restricted Purchases
   2. Applying for an Express Card
      1. Complete the Express Card Agreement and the Online Training
      2. Turn the Express Card Agreement to your Purchasing Coordinator
      3. You will receive your card in 2-3 weeks
   3. Disputes
3. Purchasing Request Form: complete this form and submit it to your Purchasing Coordinator for all purchases over $4,999.00, all purchases of equipment and any restricted purchases that cannot be purchased on the Express Card or with recharge.
   1. This form will be returned to you with a purchase number once the order has been placed. Please retain it to submit with your documentation upon receipt of the product.

After you've made a purchase the department is required to maintain documentation for all expenses related to University funding. Please follow these guidelines submitting the required documentation:

Recharge: submit receipts to your Purchasing Coordinator’s mailbox.

Express Card: complete the Express Card Purchase Documentation Form†, attach the receipts and place in your Purchasing Coordinator's mailbox.
* Note: receipt of documentation for Express Card purchases is time sensitive and all documentation should be submitted immediately upon purchase

Purchasing Request: gather any receipts and packing slips upon receipt of the product, attach them to the Purchasing Request Form that was returned to you, and submit all to your Purchasing Coordinator

*Note: Use of personal funds and a subsequent request for reimbursement is not an approved method of purchase and is not in compliance with UC San Diego policy.