The following list of frequently asked questions is available to assist individuals in the use of the purchasing function at the university.  These questions are arranged by categories.  Click on any question, and you will be shown the appropriate response in the answer section.

For Suppliers

1. How can I get started doing business with Cornell?
2. What insurance requirements are there of a supplier before they can do business with Cornell?
3. Will I automatically become a supplier if I complete the supplier information form on your Web site?
4. How do I find the purchasing agent that handles my commodity?
5. How do I get the results of a bid/quote I submitted?
6. Whom do I contact if there is a price or product change on a current purchase order (PO)?
7. How long does it take a supplier to be paid?
8. Whom do I contact to check the status of an invoice?

For Departments, Administrators, and Business Service Centers

1. Who are preferred suppliers, and where can I find out more about them?
2. What is "e-SHOP," and how can I find out more about it?
3. How can I learn more about our procurement card (pcard) program?
4. What does "APPS" stand for?
5. Whom do I contact to get APPS training?
6. Whom do I contact to get help entering a requisition in APPS?
7. How long before my requisition gets converted to a purchase order (PO)?
8. How do I check on the status of a requisition or PO?
9. How do I find out if a receiver has been entered against my PO?

Bidding, Insurance, Purchase Orders, and Requisition Questions

1. What are the bidding thresholds and requirements?
2. How do I request a bid?
3. When is single/sole-source justification required?
4. What if I have attachments (i.e., agreements, contract, quote, etc.), and the purchasing amount is under $10,000; can I still process the order as a department quick order (DQO)? If so, what do I do with the attachments?
5. When is insurance needed, and how much is required for a supplier doing business on campus?
6. What are the requirements when ordering novelty items with university marks?
7. Where can I find Purchasing policies?

(Answers Section)

For Suppliers
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1.	How can I get started doing business with Cornell?
Vendors must apply to become a Cornell supplier.  To do so, contact the purchasing agent that specializes in the product/service that is being offered.  If accepted, the supplier may be added to the list of vendors for that particular commodity.
2.	What insurance requirements are there for a supplier before they can do business with Cornell?
If a supplier is going to provide a service on campus, they must meet minimum insurance requirements.  Please see Purchasing policy 114 .
3.	Will I automatically become a supplier if I complete the supplier information form on your Web site?
No, if a department has requested services from a vendor who is not in our database, the vendor must complete a supplier information form.
4.	How do I find the purchasing agent that handles my commodity?
For a list of agents and the commodities they manage, view our agents and commodities  page.
5.	How do I get the results of a bid/quote I submitted?
You may contact the purchasing agent that sent out the request for the bid.
6.	Whom do I contact if there is a price or product change on a current purchase order (PO)?
Contact the individual whose name is on the PO.
7.	How long does it take a supplier to be paid?
Unless other terms have been agreed upon, Cornell terms are Net 30 after receipt of the invoice.
8.	Whom do I contact to check the status of an invoice?
Contact Invoice Processing at 607-255-0869.  Please have the PO number at hand when you call.

For Departments, Administrators, and Business Service Centers
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1.	Who are preferred suppliers, and where can I find out more about them?
These suppliers have participated in a proposal and negotiation process, and Cornell selected them because they met specific criteria.  To learn more, and get a list of our preferred suppliers, visit our preferred supplier  pages.
2.	What is "e-SHOP," and how can I find out more about it?
To learn more about e-SHOP, visit our e-SHOP  pages.
3.	How can I learn more about Cornell’s procurement card (pcard) program?
To learn more about pcard, visit www.purchasing.cornell.edu/Apply.cfm .
4.	What does "APPS" stand for?
"APPS" stands for “Automated Procurement and Payment System,” which is an electronic system used by the university to process purchase orders to buy goods and services.
5.	Whom do I contact to get APPS training?
For more information, visit the CIT training  Web site.
6.	Whom do I contact to get help entering a requisition in APPS?
Call the APPS Helpline at 254-5300.
7.	How long before my requisition gets converted to a purchase order (PO)?
Depending upon the nature of the requisition and dollar amount of the order, as well as whether the requisition has all the necessary information, most standard orders can be processed within 24 hours of submission.  There may be a delay when a supplier is not in our database, or when insurance, attachments, bid requirements and single/sole source justification or other/additional approvals are needed.  If you have questions, please contact Purchasing at 255-3804.
8.	How do I check the status of a requisition or PO?
In APPS, enter “RQS” on the command line to search for a requisition, and “POS” to search for a PO.  Then, the system will prompt you to enter the dept code and requisition number.
9.	How can I find out if a receiver has been entered against my PO?
Check with your department administrator or business service center.  They can check the line item in the PO, and tell you if that item has been received.  You can also call Purchasing at 255-3804.

Bidding, Insurance, Purchase Orders, and Requisition Questions
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1.	What are the bidding thresholds/requirements?
$10,000 or less - competitive bids are not required $10,000 to $20,000 - The Office for Supply Management Services will solicit formal quotations from a minimum of three responsible suppliers $20,000 or more - The Office for Supply Management Services will solicit formal quotations from a minimum of five responsible suppliers For more information, please see our Purchasing Policies .
2.	How do I make a request for bid?
Obtain a bid solicitation form , the purchasing agent for the commodity for which you wish to receive a bid.  We recommend you consult with a purchasing agent if you are considering soliciting bids for your purchase.  Bids are not required for purchases under $10,000.  Purchasing will solicit formal, written bids for purchases over $10,000.  If using a preferred supplier, bidding may not be required.
3.	When is single/sole-source justification required?
According to Purchasing Policy 111 , single/sole-source justification is required for all purchases over $10,000 for all funds, where competition may be restricted due to technical specifications, proprietary information, method of distribution, upgrades of existing equipment, etc.
4.	What if I have attachments (i.e., agreements, contract, quote, etc.), and the purchasing amount is under $10,000; can I still process the order as a department quick order (DQO)? If so, what do I do with the attachments?
Yes, you can still process the order as a DQO, but do not send attachments to Purchasing. Once you process a DQO, you are the agent for the purchase, and all attachments are your responsibility. If the vendor needs a copy of the agreement or quote, you can write the PO number on the document, and mail or fax it to the vendor. If you have any questions, please contact Purchasing.
5.	When is insurance needed, and how much is required for a supplier doing business on campus?
Purchasing Policy 114 states that suppliers are required to submit evidence of adequate insurance coverage before performing work or services on campus.
6.	What are the requirements when ordering novelty items with university marks?
Written permission must be obtained from the office of University Communications or the Student Activities office for the use of any Cornell affiliated artwork or text.  Departments are responsible for applying to use names, logos, artwork, and text owned by Cornell.  For more information and an application, visit the Student Activities Office  Web site.
7.	Where can I find Purchasing policies?
	For a list of Purchasing policies and procedures, visit our Policies and Procedures  page.

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