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General Information

Purchasing authority

The primary function of the Purchasing Department is the procurement of goods and services required by the College to fulfill its mission in education, research, economic and cultural/social development. Through effective communication, both internal and external, the Purchasing Department strives to provide for the varied needs of the campus community while staying within the laws and regulations of the New York State Office of the State Comptroller, the New York State Office of General Services and the State University of New York. This involves a balance between efficient and timely service to our customers and providing an environment of good sound business controls to protect the assets of SUNY Oswego. The Purchasing Associate is the person authorized to do the purchasing for the campus in accordance with these rules and regulations. 

Objectives and standards

State University's Basic Procurement Objective is to secure the most appropriate materials, supplies, equipment, and services at the lowest available price, consistent with quality requirements and delivery needs as will best promote the interest of New York State. The practice of Competitive Bidding, whether formal or informal, not only tends to assure reasonable prices, but will guard against favoritism, improvidence, and fraud. Therefore, competitive bidding shall, to the extent practicable, be solicited and purchases shall be at the lowest available price consistent with quality requirements as will best promote the public interest. It is the policy of the State University of New York to take Affirmative Action to ensure that minority and women-owned business enterprises are given the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to provide the University with goods and services at competitive prices. Every effort should be made to purchase from Preferred Sources such as the Department of Correctional Services, Industries for the Blind, Industries for the Disabled, and Veteran's Workshops, where the costs, quality, and delivery terms meet the needs of the campus. Every effort should be made to follow the purchasing guidelines set forth by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) and to follow the Office of General Services (OGS) requirements, rules, and regulations for the purchase of materials, equipment, supplies, printing, and services

Small Business, New York State certified M/WBEs, recycled or remanufactured purchases:

The opportunity for full participation in our free enterprise system by traditionally social and economically disadvantaged persons is essential if we are to obtain social and economic equality for such persons and improve the functioning of our State's economy. In pursuit of economic opportunity for all persons, it is the policy of the State of New York to foster and promote the employment of minority group members and women and the development of minority and women-owned business enterprises. Therefore, it is the policy of the State University of New York to take affirmative action to ensure that Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises are given the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to provide the University with goods and services at competitive prices.

Small businesses are a vital source of economic development in New York State. Therefore it is the policy of the State University of New York to promote small business.  A small business enterprise is identified as a business that employs 100 or fewer persons and is resident in New York State, independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field.

Recycling: To reduce the overall amount of waste discarded, the New York State established policies to promote waste prevention, recycling, and composting.

Therefore where commodities or services are available from small businesses or New York State certified M/WBEs; or where commodities or technology that is recycled or remanufactured is available, purchases may be made in amounts not exceeding $125,000 without competitive bidding, in accordance with Section II (B)(1) of the SUNY Procurment Policy. Advertising requirements under NYS Economic Development Law still apply. The campus must still demonstrate reasonableness of cost.

More in-depth information about the Purchasing process and requisitioning for supplies, equipment and services is available by contacting the Purchasing Department. Please feel free to contact the Purchasing Associate located in 402 Culkin Hall by calling x2224.