Purchasing Services, Division of Business Services
University Policy
Rationale/Purpose:
A specific blanket order is issued to establish an account with external vendors or with a State of Wisconsin agency or municipality for the purchase of similar commodities not covered by a contract or waiver.
Policy:
Usage and Limits
A blanket order is issued for the purchase of either supplies or services (including unanticipated equipment repairs) as defined by the selected class code. No single transaction or release against a blanket order may exceed $5,000.00. Items ordered that are not included in the general description of the blanket order may be considered an illegal purchase (see UW-3045 Illegal Purchases). Purchasing Services reviews blanket order releases to determine if illegal purchases have been made. Inappropriate use of blanket orders may result in the discontinuation of blanket order privileges.
If departments have questions regarding external blanket orders, contact Purchasing Services at 262-1526.
4.1 departments should refer questions on invoice approval, billing errors, or other disputed invoices to Vendor Relations: Vendor names A-F = 262-4688; Vendor names G-O = 262-1306; Vendor names P-Z = 262-1527
Procedure:
Procedures
Departments may request a blanket order by completing an external requisition form and routing it through normal approval channels.
Departments should determine and reference the beginning and ending dates of the blanket order, when possible, these dates should match project funding date ranges. The blanket order may be issued for a maximum of 12 months. Departments should not place a release prior to the beginning date or after the expiration date.
The start date of the order may be backdated by two weeks from the requisition date, or to the beginning of the current month, whichever is longer. Exception: Continuing Order Requisitions (CORs) inclusive dates will coincide with the beginning date identified on the COR.
Departments may begin to purchase using the blanket order after the purchase order has been issued by Purchasing Services as shown on the PO Inquiry available through the Purchasing Inquiry website. The department should provide the vendor with the complete 13-digit blanket order number, verify the ship-to address and provide a contact name and phone number at the ship-to address. The department should remind the vendor that the invoice, referencing the blanket order number, must be sent to ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, Suite 5301 21 N Park St., Madison, WI 53706-1490.
The Department must inform the vendor of the UW-Madison policy which restricts vehicles (trucks) exceeding 30 feet in length will be restricted from making deliveries and pick-ups on campus. The exceptions are vehicles necessary for the delivery or pick-up of perishable commodities, radioactive material, and private construction vehicles. Options available to the vendor include the following:
Vendor delivers or picks up using vehicles that are less than 30 feet.
Vendor ships or picks up via common carrier in vehicles, which are less than 30 feet (e.g., FedEx, UPS, Speedy, etc.).
Vendors who are unable to deliver or pick up using one of the above methods, must either sub-contract at their expense or contact MDS to make necessary arrangements and discuss fees.
For specific policy language and restrictions, department staff and vendor representatives should review the campus policy at IPP32 and/or the Shop@UW website. 3.5 Departments should inform the vendor that any item(s) back ordered must be invoiced against the blanket order number referenced on the original release order.
Departments will receive Continuing Order Requisitions (CORs) each month for blanket orders that are ending in the next three months. Departments may renew expiring blanket orders without having to generate new requisitions by “editing” each COR for a new time period, encumbrance, etc. (Refer to UW-3060 Continuing Order Requisitions).
