2.7.1 Procard Restrictions (Special Approval Required and/or Prohibited Purchases) (Revised 10-1-2023))

Administrative Responsibility:   Procurement Card Coordinator, reporting to the Associate Vice President for Business Services

PURPOSE

This policy identifies categories of items that require special advanced approval or are prohibited from purchasing using a Procard.

SCOPE

This policy pertains to any employee eligible to obtain a Procard as outlined in APPM Policy 2.7 and has an active Procard.

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply to these terms as they are used in this policy:

Procurement Card

 

A University-issued credit card can be restricted by transaction amount, monthly dollar amount, and merchant category code (type of merchant).

POLICY

A.    Special Approval Required Purchases

*The University Procurement Card ("Procard") may be used for the following purchases given prior written approval from the Business Office and/or Procard Office.

Gift Certificates

 

Payments for employee recognition, gift certificates, etc. There are certain exceptions for research subjects. These exceptions must be fully documented and approved by the Procard Office in advance using the Gift Card Purchase Certification form.

Memberships

(Requires Dean/VP approval and must be paid via Direct Payment Request (DPR) if the transaction amount exceeds the p-card transaction limit.) See APPM Policy 1.3.1.

Advertising

For any advertisement that contains the University logo or wordmark.

(For advertisements placed with vendors that only accept credit cards as the payment method, email procard@wayne.edu requesting an exception for the employment advertisement to be placed with the vendor. See APPM Policy 3.0.18.

Computers, Printers & Software Computers, printers, and software require C&IT prior written approval. See APPM Section 9.8.
Software All software, except for individual use, single purpose software. In such cases, the cardholder is responsible for a complete review of the associated license agreement. Individual use software requires C&IT prior written approval. See APPM Section 9.8.

Printing / Promotional Goods

Printing and Promotional Items may only be purchased on a Procard when a University preferred supplier is used. Links to these suppliers are below:

Use of a Procard for other printing or promotional goods is prohibited.

B.    Specific Unauthorized Purchases

The University Procurement Card may not be used for any of the following purchases:

Agency "9" accounts

 

The agency fund index (beginning with a "9") is a custodial holding account for other organizations. Money in this index does not belong to the University. Therefore, Procard purchases are prohibited on this account unless advanced approval is obtained from the Procard Office and documented with the transaction(s).

Bus Tickets

Purchasing bus tickets (or any transportation method) for student trips or bringing people to campus.

Capital Assets

Transactions, in general, are limited to $3,000. Exceptions are limited to high-volume units.

Cash Advances

Procards may not be used to obtain ATM cash advances (blocked merchant).

Controlled Substances (Drugs)

Controlled Substances, which require approval of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, must be placed on a Wayne Buy Requisition.

Consultants or Professional Services

Payments for services such as legal, accounting, computer programming, or any similar types of services performed by independent entities or contractors.

Contracts

Any vendor contracts/agreements with terms and conditions which, by policy, require approval by General Counsel and Purchasing (including maintenance, lease, rental agreement, etc.).

Flowers

 

The purchase of flowers, plants, gift baskets, or any type of personal tribute. Such transactions are also generally prohibited by University policy regardless of payment method. See APPM Policy 1.3.1 for exclusions.

Food/Meal

All food-related items from any merchant.

Entertainment

Music downloads (such as iTunes), movies, smartphone accessories, etc.

OneCard

To add funds to a University OneCard.

Personal Items

Any goods/services deemed not reasonable or required by the University. Personal purchases of any kind may not be made with a Procard.  This includes personal entertainment items listed above.

Printing / Promotional Goods

Purchase of any printed or promotional goods except through preferred suppliers as noted in the Special Approval Required table above.

Prior Invoices

The Procard is intended for payment of current purchases only (payment on the date of purchase) and may not be used to pay for "old" or previous invoices.

Radioactive Materials

Live radioactive or hazardous materials.

Research Animals

Laboratory animals.

Security Systems

The acquisition of and/or installation of security systems. These must be coordinated through the Wayne State University Public Safety.

Software

 

All software except for individual use, single-purpose software. In such cases, the cardholder is responsible for a complete review of the associated license agreement.

Travel & Entertainment

 

 

Any travel-related purchase or rental is prohibited (e.g., hotel, motel, airline, train, bus, taxi, limousine, or cruise fare; car or boat rental; gasoline; road tolls of any kind; travel agency purchase; parking lot fees). Travel-related merchants have been blocked from accepting Procards.  Individuals can use the University travel card or other personal credit cards for travel-related expenditures. Refer to APPM Section 7 for Travel.

Water

Drinking water or associated equipment (e.g., Absopure).

Window Treatments

Window blinds, shades, curtains, or draperies.

Wireless Devices or service plans

Pagers, cell phones, items that can be used as a cell phone (e.g., Blackberry, iPhone, Trio, etc.), peripherals, or any type of related service (see APPM Policy 1.3.1.4).

All purchases for the above, or for those whose value exceeds the Procard transaction limit of $3,000, should be processed in accordance with all of the established University policies and procedures, including but not limited to Purchasing, Section 2, Expense Guidelines, APPM Policy 1.3.1, or any other applicable policy of the Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (APPM).

If a user is uncertain about a particular purchase being permissible using the Procard, don't hesitate to contact the Procard Office at 577- 3708 before vendor contact.

PROCEDURE

The following information outlines the responsibilities of various parties involved in the Procurement Card process:  See APPM Policy 2.7  Procurement Card.

APPENDICES

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RELATED UNIVERSITY/BOARD POLICIES

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Effective Date: Prior to 2000

Revised Date: 10/1/2023

Reviewed Date: 10/1/2023

To be reviewed, at minimum, every three years and/or revised as needed by:  Procard Coordinator, reporting to the Associate Vice President for Business Services

Next Review By Date: 1/31/2027

SUPERSEDES POLICY

  1. N/A

HISTORICAL DATES

10/01/2023, 01/18/2023, 6/14/2018, 1/25/2018, 2/01/2016, 10/02/2015, 05/01/2008, 08/01/2007, 01/01/2006