Expediture Contracts
Goods or Services?
Goods are tangible items, often like you can buy "off the shelf". Let's say you want to buy 20 reams of paper for the office. This would be a purchase of goods. Other examples of purchasing goods include food products, plants and trees for landscaping, and chairs for classrooms. If you would like to purchase goods please start via the SciQuest system or contact PCS.
Personal Services Contracts
Most contracts in which the University receives consideration other than moveable goods are considered "personal services" contracts. A personal service contract is one in which the effort and labor of the contractor is the consideration. Personal services contracts are subject to certain requirements which must be carefully followed in advance--especially if the type of service being acquired is capable of being delivered by employees of the state classified personnel system. Since there are several approvals that must be obtained in order to allow for the acquisition of services, it is strongly recommended that you contact the PCS Department as soon as the need for the contract is identified. With the assistance of a Purchasing Agent, you will then follow established procedures to select a vendor. When all preliminary requirements have been met, you may be directed to complete an "Independent Services Agreement" from the Contract Forms page, setting forth the scope of services to be performed and the other terms and conditions of the contract. For more information, please review the instruction page that appears when you select Form 2-1 from the Forms menu.
Some contracts involve both goods and services. For example, if you purchase computer hardware with installation services included, there are both goods and services components to the agreement. These contracts will be considered contracts for services unless the service component is so insignificant in terms of the total contract value that it can be considered "incidental" to the transaction (such as delivery only). The responsible Purchasing Agent will assist you with this type of transaction.
Remember, the most important rule when it comes to services contracts is that you may never allow a contractor to begin work or provide anything of value to the University before a contract has been fully approved and signed on behalf of CSU. The state is not responsible for paying for goods or services obtained without an approved contract (or Purchase Order)-but every person who allowed the state's obligation to be so incurred may be held personally liable for such payment--and it's usually impossible to "return" unauthorized services to the vendor. So, buyer beware!
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