PO and Penn Card Program Purchasing

The approved ways to spend money on behalf of the university are by PO, Marketplace Non-PO requests, and Procard.

Emphasis is heavily on the PO.  

Almost everything can be purchased via Penn’s Marketplace (PO/Non-PO).

To submit all PO and Marketplace payment requests to the Business Office, please use the Purchasing Request Form linked below. Also linked is a Purchasing one-pager designed to provide quick reference and helpful resources related to Purchasing at Penn.

Penn Global Purchasing Request Form

Purchasing One-Page Guide

While PO and Non-POs are the preferred way, there is also the Purchasing Card Programs. The Purchasing Cards represent Penn's trust in its employees to safeguard and protect University Assets. As an authorized agent of the University, the cardholder assumes the responsibility for protection and proper use of the Purchasing card.

 

PO, Procard, or other available card programs?

Below is our best guidance on when to utilize any Penn Card Program or create a PO. Heavy emphasis on the PO. 

add_shopping_cart

PO

card_membership

Procard

All things related to using your procard.

bookmarks

Other Penn Card Programs

There are several card programs available to staff and faculty. The business office general guidance is that anything that can be purchased via the Marketplace cannot be purchased on a card unless there is some extenuating circumstance. 

Below is an overview of each program, please reach out to the business office with any questions.

Credit Card Programs:

Travel Card – For staff and Faculty that travel on Penn Business. Utilized for conference travel, PGS, site visits, programming, or other Penn business related travel.

  • Feeds directly into Concur
  • Used for hotel, local travel, meals (group meals as well), and incidentals
  • Reduced fee on international transactions
  • May be used to book for other staff

Unallowable: Personal expenses, personal alcohol, hotel gym fees and laundry

Any late fees are the responsibility of the cardholder

Meeting Card – For staff that plans meetings and events sponsored by Penn

  • Rental of spaces off campus
  • Catering
  • Supplies
  • Bus and car services for group

Unallowable: Airline tickets, individual hotel and car rentals, departmental on campus meetings, personal travel expenses

Last Minute/Novel Purchases: Check with Business office about vendor and ability to pay before committing, have proper time expectations about procurement.

add_shopping_cart

PO

card_membership

Procard

All things related to using your procard.

bookmarks

Other Penn Card Programs

There are several card programs available to staff and faculty. The business office general guidance is that anything that can be purchased via the Marketplace cannot be purchased on a card unless there is some extenuating circumstance. 

Below is an overview of each program, please reach out to the business office with any questions.

Credit Card Programs:

Travel Card – For staff and Faculty that travel on Penn Business. Utilized for conference travel, PGS, site visits, programming, or other Penn business related travel.

  • Feeds directly into Concur
  • Used for hotel, local travel, meals (group meals as well), and incidentals
  • Reduced fee on international transactions
  • May be used to book for other staff

Unallowable: Personal expenses, personal alcohol, hotel gym fees and laundry

Any late fees are the responsibility of the cardholder

Meeting Card – For staff that plans meetings and events sponsored by Penn

  • Rental of spaces off campus
  • Catering
  • Supplies
  • Bus and car services for group

Unallowable: Airline tickets, individual hotel and car rentals, departmental on campus meetings, personal travel expenses

Last Minute/Novel Purchases: Check with Business office about vendor and ability to pay before committing, have proper time expectations about procurement.