Purchasing Resource Services (PRS)

The fall issue of PRS' Newsletter "Dollars & Sense" is now online! Learn about all vendor and contract changes, ways your deparment can save money and more.

PRS Primary Responsibilities

The University maintains a decentralized purchasing environment. Purchasing Resource Services (PRS), which is part of University Services, exists to keep departments and schools informed of purchasing opportunities and help them make good, best value purchasing decisions. Our three primary responsibilities are as follows:

1. Establish Preferred Vendor Contracts and Pricing Agreements .

2. Develop and maintain purchasing forms and templates.

3. Perform or assist with competitive bid solicitations and/or manage the procurement process on behalf of departments and schools. (Contact Us)

Related responsibilities:

• Manage the Supplier Diversity Program
• Manage the Surplus Property Exchange
• Provide assistance with completion of vendor credit applications (bank and trade reference information)
• Maintain tax exempt status information (for Illinois and other states)
• Develop small business plans for PI's to submit with proposals for federal grants
• Organize Info Sessions to inform faculty and staff of Purchasing and University Services programs
• Assist with organizing Vendor Shows for faculty and staff with vendors that have contracts or agreements with the University
• Contract administration (for agreements established by PRS)
• Problem resolution (invoice disputes, performance issues)
• Research cost savings opportunities
• Provide general purchasing advice to departments and schools
• Maintain a procurement process with integrity that will ensure fair and equitable treatment of all vendors who deal with the University