University of Arkansas at Little Rock

UALR is required to adhere to purchasing laws established by the State of Arkansas. These requirements vary dependent on the dollar levels of procurement of “like commodities.” In general, purchases in amounts ranging from $0 up to $5,000 may be purchased without any bidding requirements. Purchases from $5,000 up to $25,000 require three competitive bids to be on file. Purchases in amounts of $25,000 or greater require Purchasing staff to advertise for formal sealed bids. Splitting purchase orders in an attempt to avoid these bidding requirements is illegal and the originator of the documents will be held accountable.

The Purchasing Department is also a member of many cooperative purchasing organizations. These contracts have already been bid, and purchases are allowed at any time with the previously negotiated pricing. If you need to know if a product is available, please contact Purchasing at 569-3144 and they will be glad to assist you.

The Office Depot contract with the Arkansas Office of State Procurement has been renewed and is now in place. All departments should remember that the contract is mandatory and must be used for office supply purchases. You may also make office supply purchases from the State Certified Minority Vendor, Goddess Office Products. Their website may be found at www.goddessproductsinc.com. Please direct questions regarding office supply purchases to the Purchasing Department at 569-3144.

The Purchasing Department, along with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, has implemented and conducted three mandatory CTS Travel Card Training Sessions.  Additional sessions will be held in the future on a quarterly basis. Travel coordinators and the department dean/directors are required to attend these sessions.

The main purpose for CTS Travel Card training is to reaffirm departments’ responsibilities, including:

• Maintaining or assisting in maintaining all documentation on all travel, i.e., Travel Authorization Forms, invoices and/or receipts.
• Making sure the Transaction Log and all supporting documentation is delivered to the Purchasing Office within five business days after the end of each billing cycle.
• Assisting in resolving any disputes on the cardholder account.
• Communicating all questionable activity to Robin Lancaster or LaVonne Colwell in the Purchasing Department at 569-3144.