The Purchasing Department works directly with the various schools and departments to identify sourcing opportunities and strategies that meet their respective operational and financial goals. We are divided into the following four teams to assist you:
Business Services
For information on office supplies, furniture, computers, and other commodities.Construction Sourcing
For information on construction, engineering, waste removal, etc.Medical, Lab & Leasing
For information on Medical/Lab equipment, services and other related commodities, as well as on the capital leasing program.Consultants / Service Providers
For information on obtaining consultant based services
Go to About Us to learn more.
UwPA's are suppliers that have been awarded a University contract through a competitive or negotiated process managed by Central Purchasing and maintain a “Preferred” supplier status at Columbia. This “Preferred” status affords the University community easier access to these suppliers through designated customer service and sales representatives as well as the ability to place orders at higher transaction limits that do not require Purchasing review or approval. Other benefits of utilizing a UwPA are enhanced service levels and better than competitive pricing. The use of UwPA's is strongly recommended at Columbia and can be found through the Purchasing Guide.
If you are a new supplier seeking to conduct business with the University, please go to Vendor Management. In order to do business with the University you will need to be validated by Columbia.
If you are an existing vendor and are looking for the status of a payment, please contact the University department representative that obtained your services or use the Payment Status & Remittance Tool. Use the Vendor/Payee Request Web Form to make any modifications to your information.
For other questions or problems, please contact the Finance Service Center.
Purchasing has launched it's latest version of the Procurement Mechanism Guide. The guide provides a resource offering University customers information on UwPA’s, best purchasing methods to expedite your orders/payments, specific forms and related ARC category codes. The enhanced guide also provides customers easier navigation to locate the commodity or service you are looking for either searching by UwPA name or Product/Service.
Helpful Links
- Procurement Mechanism Guide
- Category Codes and Descriptions for ARC
- Procurement EDM Web Form (for uploads and status inquiries)
- Purchasing Overview
- Purchasing Policies
- Requisitions and Purchase Orders
- Change Orders
- SpeedChart Overview
- Receiving
- Purchasing Closing Instructions
- ARC Processing
- FY Year End Closing Guidance
- Frequently Asked Questions
Purchasing Guide (under construction - please use Purchasing Mechanism Guide)
Use this interactive guide for finding a product/service or vendor along with helpful information on how to procure these goods or services. Follow this link to browse, or search in the box below.
News & Info
ARC Do's and Don'ts for Purchasing
Using the "Amount Only" option in ARC
Global Support
Click on the Global Support button for helpful information on administrative matters related to Columbia University’s work outside the U.S.
