Authorizations to Purchase (4.03)

A. Contracts

Only persons who have specifically been delegated signature authority by the Trustees may sign contracts on behalf of the University, as described in their designation. This is not the same as authority under a Departmental Authorization File (DAF), as described below.

B. Departmental Authorization File

The Departmental Authorization File (DAF) controls signature authorization for all encumbrances of financial transactions against departmental accounts. A Vice President, Dean, Chairperson or Director designates the person(s) within the Department who are authorized to approve financial transactions on accounts attributed to the department. A DAF authorized individual must be a full-time officer of the University. The individual is expected to ensure that all transactions, regardless of dollar amount, conform to University Purchasing Policy.

1. $1,000 and under. Departments shall designate persons who have authority to issue EZ-POs $1,000 and under, and keep such designations on file.



2. Excess of $1,000. Only persons officially designated on the Departmental Authorization File (DAF) in the Office of the Treasurer and Controller shall have the authority to issue requisitions or EZ-POs in excess of $1,000.


The DAF controls signature authority. Requisitions may be initiated at any level, but only DAF signers can authorize approvals


3. Excess of $10,000. Purchase Requisitions, EZ-POs, Check Requests, Lease Commitments and Consulting Contracts for more than $10,000 require the signature of an authorized Vice President, Dean or his/her delegate as listed on the DAF or certificate of incumbency, as appropriate.



4. Private practice account (Ledger 3). All Purchase Requisitions greater than $10,000 and charged to a private practice account (Ledger 3 designation) require the approval and signature of the Office of The Vice President for Medical Center and Dean of The Faculty of Medicine or his/her appropriate representative before they can be processed by the Purchasing Office. Requisitions submitted without prior approval will not be processed.



5. Other Required Approvals. See Chapter IX for approvals required for special procurements.