Purchasing Card Guide

General Info
Risk and Liability
Institutional Compliance
Cardholder Responsibilities
FAQ

Acceptable Purchases with Additional Prior Approval
Acceptable Purchases without Additional Prior Approval
Preferred Vendors
Resources: Links and Forms

FY25 Updates

Hotels/lodging are no longer allowed on PCard.

As of September 1, 2024, hotels/overnight lodging is no longer allowed on a purchasing card. If you need to pay for lodging for yourself or a non-employee, please apply for a UNT System Travel Card. Hotel conference room rentals are still allowable on PCard but may be better facilitated on a Travel Card.

Contracts/terms/conditions must be processed as a requisition.

As of September 1, 2024, goods/services with contracts are no longer allowed on a purchasing card unless they are included on the list of exempted vendors/vendor categories. If your goods/services have a contract/terms/agreements/conditions, the purchase must be processed via requisition. For additional information, please visit the Office of Contract Administration website.

IT related clickwraps (software/IT systems) are no longer allowed on a purchasing card and must be processed via requisition unless they are included on teh list of exempted vendors/vendor categories. Non-IT clickwraps will remain on PCard.

Exempt vendors/categories - approved for payment via PCard

These vendors and vendor categories are exempt from the requisition requirement for contracts, but the PCard Guidelines must still be adhered to. If a PCard exception request is required, it must be obtained prior to purchase.

Aramark
Charter
Cintas
Conference registrations
Copier/printer leases
Directv
EJs Towing
Event rentals (Main Event, Top Golf, Chicken N Pickle)
Food/catering
Hotel venue rentals (Overnight lodging is prohibited on the PCard and must be processed via the Travel Program)
Unifirst

As a purchasing card holder, you are accepting the terms and conditions that are required for its use. Cardholders are stewards of university funds and should purchase responsibly. It is the cardholder’s responsibility to allot sufficient time to reconcile their Pcard report each month. Refer to each section in the sidebar for additional guidance.

1.0 Purchasing Card Program General Information

The Purchasing Card (Pcard) Program is offered to simplify the way in which some goods and selected services are purchased. The Pcard Program is not intended to avoid or bypass appropriate purchasing or payment procedures and approval processes. All purchases made on a Pcard must be for official use only.

Key Roles

Cardholder – responsible for making purchases, maintaining required documentation and signatures, ensuring timely reporting of transactions in the online banking system.
First Level Approver – responsible for reviewing allocations made by Cardholder in online banking system to ensure transactions are coded properly and Dept ID/Proj ID information is correct.
Cost Object Approver – responsible for authorizing the use of PCards in their department(s), ensuring sufficient funds are available for purchases and ensuring that all guidelines for proper use of the Pcard are followed. Has budget authority on Dept ID/Proj ID for which approval is given.
Pcard Program Coordinator – administers the Pcard Program for all institutions with the UNT System, conducts periodic reviews on Pcard transactions, and maintains documentation for the Pcard activities within the UNT System.
The following delegation of roles must be followed to ensure checks and balances:
- The First-Level Approver and the Cardholder must be different individuals.
- The First-Level Approver and the Cost Object Approver must be different individuals.
- The Cardholder and the Approvers cannot be related by blood or marriage.

1.1 How to Apply

Cardholders must be eligible according to the following criteria:

Must be a full-time employee delegated authority by a department head or project director with signature authority.
Must be able to dedicate adequate time to Pcard transaction reconciliation. The time required to accurately reconcile Pcard purchases is determined by a cardholder’s purchase volume.
Must successfully complete the Pcard Training Program and renew said training annually.
To apply:
- Submit the application for a purchasing card via Concur Card Action Request along with the certificate of completion for the PCard Holder & Approver training.
- Once your application has been approved and processed, you will receive your card within 10-14 days.

1.2 Purchasing Considerations

Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs): The Board of Regents is committed to a good faith effort to increase business with HUB vendors consistent with the State’s goal to build a solid foundation for economic prosperity. It is strongly encouraged to compare pricing among several vendors, including HUB vendors, to obtain the best value. Contact HUB@untsystem.edu for assistance in locating vendors that provide the goods or services needed.
Texas Institute for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH): Cardholders must be aware that all institutions under the UNT System follow the state guidelines for procurement of goods and services from persons with disabilities. In accordance with State statutes, purchase products and services offered by TIBH to the greatest extent possible.
Best Value: all purchases shall provide the best value to the institution. In determining what the best value is, consider the following factors: price, delivery time, freight terms/cost, vendor reputation, quality of the goods, long-term costs, etc. Confirm with the vendor if any UNT System discounts are available.
- The best value is not always from the most convenient vendor. Shop around for quotes from multiple vendors, including HUB and TIBH vendors.
- Amazon should be considered last when making office supply, computer peripherals/equipment, electronics, and furniture purchases.
Vendors with catalogs in the UNT System Marketplace should be utilized for goods and services they provide whenever possible. Always check the Marketplace before purchasing items elsewhere.
Preferred vendors: The following vendors should be utilized for goods and services whenever possible:
- Business Essentials – Office Supplies
- Preferred Business Solutions – Office Supplies
- Vendors with catalogs in the UNT System Marketplace
Spending limits: To increase your spending limits, please submit an exception request via Concur Request. Exception Requests must be linked to all related purchases (including blanket exceptions). Standard PCard limits are currently:
- $5,000 per single transaction
- $25,000 per month

1.3 Funding Sources

Permitted on PCard. Local Funds – Funds collected at the university for goods or services, provided by non-state grants or contracts, or provided by donors, as opposed to funds appropriated by the Texas Legislature in the General Appropriations Act.
Not Permitted on PCard. State Funds – Funds appropriated by the Texas Legislature in the General Appropriations Act, whether held inside or outside the state Treasury. Includes general revenue, special line items, Higher Education Funds (HEF), Advanced Research Program/Advanced Technology Program (ARP/ATP) funds, and other funds designated as “state” funds. All state funds must follow state expenditure guidelines.

For additional information regarding your chart of accounts or funding sources, contact your college budget officer or your institution’s Budget Office.

1.4 Liability Requirements

A Cardholder making a personal purchase will be held personally liable to reimburse the University for the purchase. Lost or stolen cards shall be reported to Citi Bank and the Pcard Program Coordinator immediately. Fraudulent activity should be reported to Citi Bank and the Pcard Program Coordinator as soon as it is discovered.

Citi Bank Customer Service: 1 (800) 248-4553
Citi Bank Cardholder Portal: Citi Manager
Purchasing Card Program Coordinator: Pcard@untsystem.edu or (940) 369-5500, option 1, option 4

1.5 Transaction Reconciliation

The submission window for PCard reports opens on the 6th, and you have 3 business days (including the 6th) to submit. To prevent late submission of your report, you should reconcile transactions on a weekly basis. An overdue Pcard report may result in a lowered limit and/or the suspension of your Pcard account. You can find Concur resources here.

1.6 Post Transaction Reviews

The Pcard Program Coordinator will perform routine reviews of transactions and Pcard accounts. The objective of post transaction reviews is to determine compliance with the Pcard Program Guidelines and record keeping requirements. Multiple violations or occurrences of misuse may result in the suspension or closure of the offending Cardholder’s account.

1.7 Program Noncompliance

Non-adherence to the Pcard Program Guidelines may result in a Pcard sanction: the temporary revocation of Cardholder privileges or permanent closure of the Cardholder’s account. Sanctions may include any combination of the following:

Temporary suspension of purchasing card account
Revoked purchasing card privileges
Lowered transaction limits
Required retraining
Notification of supervisor/department head
Permanent revocation of Pcard privileges

NOTE: Personal use of the Pcard is always considered a major work-rule violation and the employee will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination and possible criminal prosecution. Full restitution to the University will be required immediately for any personal purchase once discovered by the Cardholder, Approver, the Pcard Program Coordinator, and/or Internal Audit.

1.8 PCard Inactivity

To prevent fraudulent activity, purchasing cards with no activity for 6 consecutive months will be subject to review. Cardholders will be notified via email and given the option to close the account, place the account on hold, or have the account remain open.

2.0 Purchasing Card Guidelines: Restricted Purchases

All goods and services under $5,000, unless restricted, should be purchased using a Pcard. Restricted items, controlled assets, goods/services to be allocated to State funds, and goods/services available via the UNT System Marketplace should not be purchased using a Pcard.

2.1 Risk and Liability

Using a Pcard for the below items may result in suspension of your purchasing card account and/or revoked purchasing card privileges:

Business Consulting Services
Chemicals/Hazardous Materials
Controlled/Capital Assets
Foreign Vendors/Sales Tax
Fraud
Gift Cards – Create a requisition and your UNT System Buyer will purchase any needed gift cards
Shipping to unapproved non-UNT address

2.2 Institutional Compliance

Using a Pcard for the below items will require retraining and may result in suspension of your purchasing card account:

Non-exempt or unapproved Contracts/Click Wraps
Gifts/Awards/Prizes
Consulting Services
Goods/services that have been allocated to State funds
PayPal (submit exception request with W-9 attached via Concur Request)
Venmo/Cash App/Apple Pay
Individuals/Independent Contractors

Failure to perform a vendor hold search before a transaction is complete will require retraining and may result in suspension of your purchasing card account. Vendor hold searches may be completed up to 7 days in advance of a payment but are not considered valid if completed post-payment. A screenshot should be taken of the vendor hold search, with all details visible, and uploaded to the transaction on your Pcard report. Refer to the links below for guidance on how to perform and document a vendor hold search.

2.3 Cardholder Responsibilities

Failure to meet purchasing card program requirements and responsibilities may require retraining and may result in suspension of purchasing card account. Using a PCard for employee travel expenses may also require retraining and may result in suspension of purchasing card account.

Cardholder Negligence
Lost Purchasing Card
Missing Receipts
Late Submission of Purchasing Card Reports
Purchase of Travel Expenses

3.0 Purchasing Guidelines: Acceptable Purchases with Additional Prior Approval

The purchase of the below items is allowable on a purchasing card with prior approval from the specified departments:

Accreditation Fees
- Exception request required
Advertisements
- Marketing
Alcoholic beverages
- Exception request required
- Must include the statement "no one under the age of 21 will be served alcohol."
Awards/Gifts/Prizes
- Awards/Gifts/Prizes over $100 are considered taxable income and must be reported to the Tax Office and/or Payroll
- Exception request required
Copier Leases
- Contracts
Data Processing Services
- Exception request required
DJ/Entertainment Services
- Vendor must provide W-9
- Contracts
Donations/Contributions
- Exception request required
Faculty/Staff job postings
- Human Resources/Provost
Insurance Premiums
- Exception request required
- Risk Management
Internet Services
- Telecom
Legal Services
- Exception request required
Medical Services
- Exception request required
Photography Services
- Vendor must provide W-9
- Exception request required
Stamps
- No more than 100 stamps may be purchased at one time
- No more than 100 stamps may be on hand at any time
- Exception request required
Technology Software and Systems
- Technology Acquisition Questionnaire submitted via ServiceNow
- UNT System IT Compliance
Translation Services
- Exception request required
UNT-Branded Merchandise and Apparel
- Denton campus: University Brand Strategy and Communications (UBSC)
- HSC campus: Office of Marketing and Communications
- Dallas campus: Marketing and Communication
- System: Office of Marketing and Communications
Utilities
- Facilities
Video and Recording Services
- Vendor must provide W-9
- Exception request required

*Proof of prior approval must be attached to the transaction on your Pcard report. Unless otherwise stated, no exception request is required.

3.1 Purchasing Guidelines: Allowable Purchases without Additional Prior Approval

The purchase of the below items is allowable on a purchasing card without additional prior approval (no exception request is required):

Audio/Visual Equipment under $500
Books
Booth and Storage Rentals
Cameras under $500
Coffee and Water Services
Conference Registrations
Computer Peripherals/Equipment
Digital/Film processing
Drones under $500
Employee Training Programs
Equipment Rentals
Flowers (as condolence gifts)
Flowers and plants (as office décor)
Food – Catering, Carry-out, Delivery, Dine-in (must have a legitimate business purpose)
- If 10 or fewer attendees, the names of attendees must be attached to your PCard report
Gratuity (up to 20%)
Maintenance and Repairs (non-capital)
Memberships
Non-Branded Uniforms
Moving Services (non-contracted)
Parking
Printing Services
Projectors under $500
Promotional Items
Publication Fees
Shipping/Freight/Postage (no stamps)
Smart Phones under $500
Sponsorships (local funds)
Subscriptions
Supplies
- Lab Supplies (non-chemical)
- Custodial Supplies (non-chemical)
- HVAC Supplies
- Instructional Supplies (non-chemical)
- Medical Supplies (non-chemical)
- Office Supplies
- Security/Life Safety Supplies
Team building expenses
Televisions under $500
Temporary Agency Workers (payment to the agency only)
Tolls/Road Charges
Used Equipment (best value)
Warranties (with initial purchase only)