Doing Business with USF
Getting Started
1. Understand Purchasing At USF
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ employs a decentralized purchasing model.  In most
instances, individual departments determine their specific needs and communicate with
suppliers to engage them in a wide variety of commodities and services. 
Procurement Services supports the departmental sourcing efforts described above and
ensures compliance with all applicable laws and policies. 
In general, there are two ways to do business with USF: competitive bid and competitive
quote. Either method should result in either a purchase order and/or a contract being
issued when procurement occurs. USF also has a P-Card program that is primarily used
for small dollar purchases with suppliers.
2. Find Opportunities
- Contact our Administrative Units
Suppliers can view USF Tampa departments listed by their Administrative Units, as well as visit the  a²Ô»å  websites to contact departments to market their commodities and services.  Suppliers should make an appointment with a specific USF employee before arriving on any campus for an in-person meeting. - Visit our
Procurement Services leads public solicitation events to acquire certain commodities and services which are widely used by USF or meet a certain spend threshold currently designated by the  regulations. For more information on participating in Public Solicatation Events, see Solicitation Instructions for Suppliers
- Speak with a Strategic Category Manager.
Our team of Strategic Category Manager can work with you to identify areas of need across the USF community and can facilitate introductions. Additionally, they can work with you to answer questions related to purchasing and spend at USF.
- Consider competing for public contracts with the State of Florida
USF routinely makes use of existing supplier contracts with the State of Florida. For information on current State of Florida opportunities please visit the site.
3. Register as a Supplier
Check out the USF Supplier Management Page for information on the registration process and additional supplier resources. Contact suppliersetup@usf.edu to receive an invitation to register as a supplier interested in doing business with
USF and provide additional information about your business.
4. Register as a Diverse Supplier
USF Supplier Development and Engagement can help suppliers gain certification as a diverse supplier.
5. Understand our Code of Ethics.
To meet the Â鶹ÊÓƵ's mission, Procurement Services provides management,
oversight to acquire quality commodities and contractual services while promoting
fair and open competition in the public procurement process. Responsible Purchasing
officials shall be protected from improper pressures of external political or business
interests. The process shall reduce the appearance and opportunity for favoritism,
ensure contracts are awarded equitably and economically, and establish effective management
oversight in the acquisition of commodities and contractual services to preserve the
integrity of public purchasing and contracting.
It is a breach of ethical standards for any employee of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ
to accept, solicit, or agree to accept a gratuity of any kind, form, or type in connection
with any contract for commodities or services.  It is also a breach of ethical standards
for any potential contractor to offer an employee of USF a gratuity of any kind, form,
or type to influence the development of a contract or potential contract for commodities
or service.
6. Understand our Terms and Conditions
All USF Purchase Orders have standard Terms and Conditions found here. In instances where we enter a written and signed (authorized) agreement with a supplier the the terms and conditions of that contract will apply.
7. Payment
Accounts Payable (part of Payment Services in the University Controller’s Office) is responsible for the payment of invoices to suppliers for goods and services provided to the University. Questions regarding payment of invoices may be directed to aphelp@usf.edu.
8. Tax Exemption
Click HERE for USF's current tax exemption certificate.