Purchasing and Contract Signature Authority

Signature Authority is limited

Signature authority, the signature of the last employee(s) required to execute a type of contract, is delegated by the President, except as limited by the Board of Trustees.

Only a limited number of university employees are permitted to sign a contract for WWU. A university employee may not sign a contract or make a purchase on behalf of the university unless expressly authorized to do so in a written delegation of authority.

Public Works
Contract or Purchase TypeAuthoritySignatory TitleDescription and Notes
Architects & Engineers<$500,000
  • Director,Facilities Operations, Facilities Management
  • Director, Capital Budget & Public Works
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
 
$500,000 and above
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
$500,000 and above subject to Board of Trustees approval
Public Works<$500,000
  • Director,Facilities Operations, Facilities Management
  • Director, Capital Budget & Public Works
 
$500,000 and above
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
$500,000 and above subject to Board of Trustees approval
Public Works Change Orders<$500,000
  • Director,Facilities Operations, Facilities Management
  • Director, Capital Budget & Public Works
Approved through Change Management Process
$500,000 and above
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
Emergency Contracts - Architects & Engineers<$500,000
  • Director,Facilities Operations, Facilities Management
  • Director, Capital Budget & Public Works
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
 
$500,000 and above
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
$500,000 and above is subject to President's approval. See RCW 28.B.10.350(5).
Emergency Contracts - Public Works Contractors<$500,000
  • Director,Facilities Operations, Facilities Management
  • Director, Capital Budget & Public Works
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
 
$500,000 and above
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
$500,000 and above is subject to President's approval
Risk Management
Contract or Purchase TypeAuthoritySignatory TitleDescription and Notes
Tort Claims/Lawsuits< or = $50,000
  • Director, Risk Management
Settlement Agreements
< or = $100,000
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
$100,00 and above subject to Board of Trustee approval and signatory follows this matrix
Insurance DocumentsAny Amount
  • President
  • Director, Risk Management 
Applications, claim forms, certificates of insurance, etc.
Miscellaneous
Contract or Purchase TypeAuthoritySignatory TitleDescription and Notes
Personal PropertyAny Amount
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Director,Facilities Operations, Facilities Management
  • Director, Capital Budget & Public Works
  • Chief Procurement Officer
Example: Vehicle Titles, Public Works-related Permits

All Signature Authority for the Contract and Purchases types that follow is contingent upon prior sbumittal and approval of associated requests through the University's contract and procurement systems, including associated eForms, except as noted below.

Property
Contract or Purchase TypeAuthoritySignatory TitleDescription and Notes
Real Property: LeaseAny Amount
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
Leases over 2 years AND in excess of $100,000 subject to Board of Trustees approval
Real Property: Sale, Purchase & EasementsAny Amount
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
 
Goods & Services & Events
Contract or Purchase TypeAuthoritySignatory Title Description and Notes
Interlocal Agreements< or = $100,000
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
Above $100,000 of University funds or where third entity is being created is subject to Board of Trustees approval and signatory follows this matrix.
Interagency Agreements< or = $100,000
  • Contract Specialist 1/2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 2/3/4
Agreements with other governmental entities where a third entity is not created. These agreements are not subject to RCW 39.34. Refer to Academic & Other Programs below for Interagency Agreements specific to those areas. 
< or = $250,000
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
Any Amount
Capital and Equipment LeasesAny Amount
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
  • Contract Specialist 1/2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 2/3/4
All leases, including Capital Leases) must be reported to the Office of the State Treasurer.

 

Service Agreements including Consulting/Contractor Services, Client Services, Performers, Speakers, Trainers

 

< or = $100,000
  • Contract Specialist 1/2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 2/3/4

Competition required over $10,000 except for client service and exceptions approved by DES. Subject to OFM filing and reporting requirements. Requires completion of special OFM training to be authorized to sign. 

Legal services and any related services by outside counsel must be approved through the AAG.

< or = $250,000
  • Chief Procurement Officer 
Any Amount
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
Performance Agreements (AS/VU)< or = $20,000
  • Dean of Student Life
"Approved to Form templates" only
> $20,000
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
  • Contract Specialist 1/2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 2/3/4
 
Emergency Contracts and Purchasing 
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
Chief Procurement Officer and delegate(s) after designation by President or VP BFA

 

Purchased Goods and Services including Computers, Technology and Software, including amendments, renewals and support documentation requiring signatures.  Includes Consulting/Contractor Services, Client Services including Performers, Speakers, Trainers.

< or = $10,000
  • Procurement & Supply Sp. 1 (PO Only)
  • Director of Library Collections 

Competition required over $10,000; formal solicitation sealed bid over $100,000. Purchases using federal grant dollars - competition required over $3,000. Library Collections contracts less than $10,000 may be signed as indicated. Subject to DES reporting requirements.

Competition required over $10,000 except for client service and exceptions approved by DES; sealed bid over $100,000; exception - purchases using federal grant dollars - competition required over $3,000. Library Collection contracts less than $10,000 may be signed as indicated and filed in the University's contract system. Subject to OFM filing and reporting requirements. Requires completion of special OFM training to be authorized to sign. Legal services and any related services by outside counsel must be approved through the AAG.2              

< or = $50,000
  • Contract Specialist 1
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 2
< or = $100,000
  • Contract Specialist 2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 3/4
< or =$250,000

 

  • Chief Procurement Officer
Any Amount
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services

 

Conferences, Events and Facilities Use (On/Off Campus, including Revenue) contracting with Third Party

< or = $100,000
  • Contract Specialist 1/2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 2/3/4
 
< or = $250,000
  • Chief Procurement Officer
Any Amount
  • President
  • Provost
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
Academics & Other Programs
Contract or Purchase TypeAuthoritySignatory Title Description and Notes
Outreach and Continuing EducationAny Amount
  • President
  • Provost
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
International marketing associate agreements, College in the High School, Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program
Office of Global Engagement/Education Abroad< or = $100,000
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
  • Contract Specialist 1/2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Sp. 2/3/4
Faculty-led study abroad vendor and service Agreements, as well as MOU Exchange and Cooperation Agreements.
Any Amount
  • President
  • Provost
InternshipsAny Amount
  • President
  • Provost
Affiliation agreements, practicum, field experience
Grants and Research (RSP)Any Amount
  • President
  • Vice Provost for Research/Dean of Graduate School 
Research Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements/Confidentiality Agreements/Data Sharing Agreements as they relate to Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) may be signed as indicated and filed in the University's contract system.
Grants Non-RSPAny Amount
  • President
  • Provost
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • Vice Provost for Research/Dean of Graduate School
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
  • Director,Facilities Operations, Facilities Management
  • Director, Capital Budget & Public Works
Initiated outside of RSP
WWU Providing Services (Revenue)< = or $100,000
  • Vice Provost for Research/Dean of Graduate School
  • Contract Specialist 1/2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 2/3/4
 
< or = $250,000
  • Chief Procurement Officer
Any Amount
  • President
  • Provost
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
Non-Disclosure Agreements/Confidentiality Agreements 
  • President
  • Provost
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
Initiated outside of RSP
All DSAs or DSPAs excluding RSP Activity
Data Sharing Agreements 
  • President
  • Provost
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • VP, Foundation
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer
  • Procurement & Supply Specialist 3/4
  • Contracts Specialist 2/3
  • Procurement Program Manager
Athletics< or = $10,000
  • Director, Athletics
Conference or game related agreements - lodging agreements less than $10,000 may be signed and filed outside of University's Contract system as determined by Athletics Director.
> $10,000
  • President
  • VP, Business & Financial Affairs
  • AVP, Finance & Business Services
  • Chief Procurement Officer 
 
Western Gallery$0
  • President
  • Director, Western Gallery
Loaning of Art (using pre-approved forms)
Patent or Copyright Related DocumentsAny Amount
  • President
  • Vice Provost for Research/Dean of Graduate School