Welcome to the Delaware State University (DSU) Purchasing Department. Our goal is to provide purchasing services to all organizational units within the University, with customer service and accountability as top priorities. Specific services include central contracting, purchasing, printing, and publishing. The department establishes, maintains, and ensures compliance with purchasing policies and procedures.

About Us

The Purchasing Department is responsible for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, and services for the University. Purchasing leverages the institution's buying power to develop strategic supplier relationships and cost-effective contracts, ensuring procurement decisions are made in the best interest of the University and in compliance with applicable rules. Responsibilities include:

  • Procuring high-quality goods and services at the best value
  • Delivering user-friendly procurement methods, training, and support to the financial community
  • Participating in state-wide collaborative purchasing initiatives to support cost-savings goals
  • Communicating with suppliers on price, quality, and delivery
  • Identifying alternative sources of supply through regular commodity reviews
  • Negotiating with suppliers and helping departments develop specifications

Bid Process and Forms

DSU works closely with Government Support Services (GSS), which offers consulting and partnership through the bid process, allowing DSU to focus on criteria evaluation. More info about the Bid Process.

Conflict of Interest

Each member of the University staff and the Purchasing Department must ensure the University does not knowingly enter into any purchase commitment that could result in a conflict of interest.

Office of Supplier Diversity

The Office of Supplier Diversity's mission is to assist minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses in competing to provide commodities, services, and construction to State departments, agencies, school districts, higher-education institutions, and businesses — increasing their opportunity to sell products and services to DSU.

Purchasing to Payment Process

All purchase transactions are processed using the Banner System. Departmental/budget heads first determine a need to purchase goods or contract for service, then:

  • Check suspension and/or debarment of the vendor
  • Verify budget availability
  • Input requisition into Banner
  • Requisition approval
  • Purchase order creation and approval
  • Receiving of goods and/or services

Suppliers should ship goods directly to Central Receiving, which inspects deliveries and prepares a receiving record. University payments are processed by Accounts Payable within the Accounting Department (302.857.6207).

Small Purchase Procedures and Thresholds

DSU follows the State of Delaware procurement guidelines for all State-funded expenditures, including Minor Capital Improvements (renovations, minor reconstruction, and/or equipment with a 10+ year life expectancy and total cost not to exceed $500,000). The State Purchasing and Contracting Advisory Council establishes thresholds that trigger formal bidding for Material/Non-Professional Services, Public Works, and Professional Services. DSU must follow the procurement provisions of 29 Del. C. Chapter 69 and the Small Purchase Procedures and Thresholds.

Special Handling of Goods and Materials

All items must be packaged by the vendor in suitable containers and shipped to Delaware State University Central Receiving to verify materials against purchase orders. No payments are processed without a signed "Receiving Record" from Central Receiving. No hazardous or flammable materials may be stored in any buildings by the vendor.

Vendor Registration

The State of Delaware offers a Free Vendor Subscription Service so vendors can receive alerts on formal bid opportunities. Register at the Vendor Registration Service (see the Step-by-Step Guide). The State's central solicitations site, bids.delaware.gov, is a one-stop shop for RFPs, ITBs, and RFIs.

Training

Training is required for anyone requesting access to the Banner Financial System; monthly hands-on sessions are announced through eNews. See the Banner Self-Service Requisition Training Guide.

Fixed Asset and Inventory Management

Fixed Assets are tangible items with a unit cost of $5,000.00 or more (including taxes, shipping, and other costs) and a useful life of more than one year. See Purchase Order Terms and Conditions.

Purchasing Staff

  • Submit all purchasing requisitions to: purchasing [at] desu.edu
  • Zafar Chaudhry — Associate Vice President — zchaudhry [at] desu.edu
  • Shawnie Noel — Director of Purchasing — snoel [at] desu.edu
  • Robert Zipp — Purchasing Coordinator — rzipp [at] desu.edu
  • Vim Malhotra — Purchasing Coordinator — vmalhotra [at] desu.edu
  • Brandon Barber — Purchasing Specialist II — bbarber [at] desu.edu