Requisition Approval Guidelines
Below is a list Accounting Services uses to review requisitions that route to the FO Approval workflow stop before routing to Purchasing for final review or directly to the supplier for fulfillment.
Please review the guidelines below so that your requisition document has all the needed notes and approvals prior to submission to ensure prompt processing. Orders that do not follow the procedures noted may be delayed or disapproved.
Marketing Orders
Marketing orders (anything with the IU logo or referencing IU Southeast, items charged to 4802, etc.) should have artwork approved by Marketing. Please include a note with an email attachment noting approval from Marketing when submitting your requisition.
If orders do not have noted approval, Accounting Services will reach out to Marketing to confirm approval. If a purchase has not been reviewed/approved by Marketing, the Accounting Services Base Org Review group will disapprove the requisition.
NOTE: For any large orders ($10K+) for object code 4802, initiators must complete a Marketing & Communication Application for approval by following this link: Marketing & Communication Request Form. A PAGR approval number must be noted on the requisition in order to be approved by the Base Org Review group.
*Job advertisement orders from Human Resources do NOT need marketing approval.
IT Related Orders
All IT related orders must route through UITS using the guidelines below. If an IT related order is placed by the department instead of routing through UITS, the requisition will be disapproved.
The following items must be requested through the IT Service Request Form (https://ius-fireform.eas.iu.edu/online/form/index/itsr):
- Computing devices: Desktops, Laptops, and Tablets/Mobile Devices
- Storage devices: Thumb Drives, External Hard Drives, SD Cards etc.
- Presentation displays: Projectors and Televisions
- Network Equipment: Routers, Switches, Wireless, and Virtual Servers
Use object code 5215 on all computer related orders.
Software
To request software purchases for the Southeast campus, departments should submit an SSSP Form: Software & Services Selection Process Form. Requestors will be notified via email when the form has been received, and a UITS representative from our campus will be copied on the email. Once the request receives approval from Purchasing as well, the department will be notified via email and may enter the requisition in BUY.IU. The order should be flagged as software in the “Compliance” section of the requisition document.
Requests that do NOT require the completion of the SSSP form:
- Renewal of existing IT software and services contracts that do not have a use case change from the prior contract term (use case is defined as how the software or services are presently being used). In these cases, the department should include the previously submitted SSSP form on the requisition for Purchasing review.
- Software and/or services indicated on the SSSP Conditional Allow list
Use the appropriate software object code below depending on the nature of the purchase:
- 4605 – Software subscription purchases and renewals
- 4616 – One-time purchases to own software
- 4617 – Maintenance agreements for software including annual fees, renewals, and upgrades
Potential Liability Issues
The supplier for any purchase involving potential liability issues should provide a $1 million Certificate of Liability Insurance to the Office of Insurance, Loss Control & Claims (INLOCC): https://inlocc.iu.edu/. If your department has an event with a potential liability issue (dunk tank rental, bouncy house, 5K walk/run, etc.), please ensure that the certificate has been forwarded to INLOCC, and make note on the requisition accordingly.
For Programs Involving Children (PIC), events must be on file with University Police. Please note on the requisition that an event has been reported to University Police for audit and approval purposes.
Liability waivers: If individuals will be participating in activities that include animals and/or inflatables on campus, the event will need to be approved by the Office of Insurance, Loss Control & Claims (INLOCC) before a liability waiver will be drafted. Waivers can be requested here: https://vpgc.iu.edu/forms/liability-release.html.
Furniture Purchases
Furniture or furnishings include, but are not limited to:
- Workstations
- Desks
- Reupholstering Services
- Tables (i.e. Conference, End/Coffee)
- Technology Related Furniture
- Outdoor Furniture
- Furniture that will be placed in public areas
- Floorcoverings (any loose or installed material on the floor, to include rugs)
- Wallcovering (any material installed on/adhered to the wall)
- Window Covering (any material installed on or at a window)
- Window Film on interior or exterior windows
- Casework/millwork
- Signage
- Area rug
- Artwork
FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS
Furniture purchases must go through the University Capital Planning & Facilities unless the item is available on the Unrestricted Furniture List (see “IU Catalog”). If an item is needed that is not on the unrestricted furniture list, departments must submit a Request for Service (RFS) form. The “Request Type” for the RFS form should be “Furniture Only”. UAO will work up a quote for the furniture item and return it to the department for review. UAO will place the order/submit a requisition on the department’s behalf if the department decides to move forward with the quote.
ACCESSORIES
- Floor and Desk Lamps (must be UL listed)
- Garment racks & coat trees
- Clocks for private offices
- Frames for diplomas or certificates for private offices
Blanket/Recurring Orders
Blanket or recurring orders are those that will cover a range of dates. For example, Facility Operations may have an order open for lumber that would cover the entire fiscal year from 7/1-6/30.
When creating a requisition for a blanket order, please be sure to note the “Type of Recurring Payment” and the “Begin/End Date” under the “Payment Info” tab. Also include the prior year PO number if applicable.
If this field is not completed for blanket orders, the requisition will be disapproved.
Check Enclosed & Special Handling Orders
If you need to request information be bundled with your payments, or to request check pick up, review SOP-PURCH-16: Special Payment Instructions. This SOP defines when the Check Attachment and Special Handling options should be completed and how to complete them.
Student Travel Purchases
If a requisition is for a payment on behalf of a student (travel, prepaid registration, etc.), the Student Funding Review Form must be completed by the document initiator and approval attached for the audit trail. The form is reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid and records the payment(s) as part of the student’s overall aid package, per federal law.
Unallowable Items
- iPads with cellular service
- Phones (must be approved by HR for business purposes)
- Desktop computers/printers for home use
- Microwaves & refrigerators (most cases)
- 8-foot tables
- Space heaters (unless approval given and order placed by Facility Operations)
- Desktop printers for office use (unless there is a remarkably compelling business need approved by VC)
- IU HR retirement gifts (must be purchased directly through IU Foundation)
