Information for Suppliers

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UB Purchasing strives to achieve the best possible combination of service and cost when selecting a supplier, while being in accordance with purchasing regulations and initiatives. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with suppliers who can meet the needs of our university community.  

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UB's Purchasing Process

The purchasing process at UB is decentralized. Most small dollar transactions and supplier selections are initiated at the department level. Purchases must follow New York State, SUNY and RF SUNY regulations and policies and are competitively bid at various thresholds.

UB’s purchasing dollar thresholds describe the dollar amount thresholds and purchasing methods available to departments. The awarding of contracts and purchase orders is done by the UB Purchasing office only.

UB strives to ensure a diverse supplier base that is responsive, responsible, and qualified to meet our business requirements.  

Ways to Interact with Our Purchasing Department

Sending us your tax ID form does not guarantee that you will do business with UB, but it allows us to collect important information to expedite the ordering process if future procurement opportunities become available. The W-9 form is for U.S. based suppliers and the W-8 form is for foreign-based suppliers.

If you are a local or diverse supplier, contact our Supplier Diversity team to partner with us on opportunities.

Contact our buyers to find out if there is a need for your specialty. Each buyer specializes in one or more kinds of goods or services or suppliers. Look up the goods or service you want to order to find your expert.

We recommend that you call and schedule an appointment prior to visiting our office.

Opportunities for new suppliers may be limited in some areas because we already have contracts for many of our commonly ordered high-spend volume products and services.

Vendor Parking

If you are a vendor doing business with UB and your vehicle will be parked for more than 20 minutes at a time, you need a vendor permit. A vendor permit allows you to park in designated areas on campus, as listed here.

Vendor Parking Allowed Vendor Permit Parking Not Allowed
  • “Service Vehicle Only” spaces (up to 2 hours)
  • “State Vehicles Only” spaces (up to 1 hour)
  • Any faculty/staff or student lot, with the exception of the Bonner and Fronczak lots
  • Spaces signed “University Owned Vehicles”
  • “Red Permit” spaces
  • Clinic spaces
  • Handicap spaces
  • Load/unload areas
  • Sidewalks
  • Grassy areas
Deliveries of 20 Minutes or Less — No Permit Needed

If your business involves simple deliveries that take 20 minutes or less, a vendor permit is not required as long as your vehicle is marked with a logo, business design or dashboard card. All dashboard cards must be 8 1/2" x 11" and be on record in the Parking and Transportation office.

Get a Vendor Permit

You can apply for a vendor permit if you are an outside company, agent or individual that does business with UB. Each person requesting a permit must complete an application. Current UB faculty, staff or students are not eligible to apply for a vendor permit. Vendor permits are valid January 1 through December 31 of the year issued. Apply online through the Parking and Transportation E-Business Center, or visit the Parking and Transportation Services office to apply.

UBITName and password required

Vendor Permit Costs

A vendor permit costs $50.00 and is transferable to any vehicle utilized by the registered permit holder.

Lost or Stolen Vendor Permits

There is a $15.00 replacement fee for lost or stolen permits.

Vendor Permit Renewals

Renewals are accepted in the fall of the prior calendar year. Any outstanding fines associated with the applicant or the vehicle(s) being registered must be paid before a vendor permit will be issued.

Multiple Vehicles (Pool Usage)

When you apply for your permit, you can request “pool” usage. With pool usage, several individuals may share one permit. Your company accepts responsibility for all fees and fines associated with the permit.

Parking Meters

For short-term parking, you can park at one of the parking meters conveniently located throughout campus. Please note that parking permits are not valid at parking meters.

Parking Meter Enforcement

Parking meters are enforced 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Rates vary per location.

Mobile Payment Metered Parking

You can use a 1-800 number or smartphone app to pay at select meters on campus when you pre-register through ParkMobile. ParkMobile is a service that lets you make payments from your credit card, get reminders before your parking expires, add time to your space from your phone and manage your parking receipts.  

North Campus

  • Select spaces at all traditional coin meter locations
  • Rensch Loop
  • Park Lot

How to Use ParkMobile

  1. You must pre-register through ParkMobile.com or download/register with their app
  2. Once you have found a parking space, launch the ParkMobile app, or call 1-877-727-5730 (as posted on the sign)
  3. Enter the 4-digit parking zone number located on the meter or nearby signage
  4. Enter your space number (if required)
  5. Keep your vehicle information correct and up to date with ParkMobile.com

Problems with ParkMobile?

Coin Operated Parking Meters

Traditional parking meters are located throughout North and South Campus. Parking is prohibited at malfunctioning meters.

North Campus Parking Meters

  • Alumni A Lot — near Center for the Arts, Slee Concert Hall, Alumni Arena 
  • Baird B Lot — near Center for the Arts, Slee Concert Hall, Alumni Arena 
  • Coventry Loop — near Center for the Arts, Slee Concert Hall, Alumni Arena
  • Fargo Lot — near Greiner Hall 
  • Flint Road — near Park Hall, Capen Hall, Jacobs Hall 
  • Hamilton Loop — near Capen Hall, Knox Lecture Hall, Student Union
  • Hochstetter B Lot — near Capen Hall, Knox Lecture Hall
  • Jacobs A Lot — near Capen Hall, Jacobs Management Center
  • Jacobs B Lot  — near Capen Hall, Jacobs Management Center
  • Jacobs C Lot —near Jacobs Management Center, Lockwood Library
  • Jarvis A Lot — near Davis Hall walkway
  • Moody Terrace — near Richmond Quadrangle
  • Park Lot — near Capen Hall, O'Brian Hall, Jacobs Management Center
  • Mary Talbert Way — near Mathematics Building, Computing Center, Fronczak Hall
  • Mary Talbert Way — near Natural Science Complex and Lecture Halls, Cooke Hall, Hochstetter Hall

South Campus Parking Meters

  • Clark Lot — near Clark Hall, Pharmacy Building
  • Hayes/Crosby Loading — near Hayes Hall, Hayes A-D, Crosby Hall
  • Michael-Farber Lot — near Squire Hall, Michael Hall, MacDonald Hall, Farber Hall, Sherman Hall
Downtown Campus Parking Options

To learn about parking and transportation options on UB’s Downtown Campus, visit the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus website.

The Payment Process for Suppliers

Suppliers: invoices should be mailed or emailed to the address indicated on the purchase order.

Reimbursement for Authorized Travel Costs

All travel costs must be directly associated with university business and contractually authorized. Travel is reimbursed according to New York State guidelines using the United States General Services Administration (GSA) reimbursement rates. Invoices must be itemized and the appropriate documentation must be provided.  All travel arrangements must be made by the supplier.

Airfare and Amtrak

Payment can be made when the itinerary and receipt are provided, only coach/economy fare is reimbursable. Original boarding passes must be provided.

Tolls, Parking, Taxis and Public Transportation

Original receipts are required for all dollar amounts.

Mileage

Mileage reimbursement rates are determined by the IRS.

Meals and per diems

The maximum per diem rate for Buffalo is paid when a hotel bill is provided.  Expenses are paid for hotel and meal costs only. The meal per diem includes tips to a bellman or hotel maid.

Doing Business With UB and Other NYS Agencies

The Office of General Services (OGS) and the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) have outlined important information you should know about doing business with New York state. While SUNY does, on occasion, purchase under different authority, it is important for you to understand the general purchasing practices of NYS.

Maintaining Your Vendor Record

Vendors are responsible for updating their own vendor record in the NYS self-service portal.

UB Policies and Guidelines

Holding a trademark license with the University at Buffalo provides you with greater visibility for your company and access to broader promotional opportunities within the university. Any order that is placed by the university that will be sold at cost or for a profit will be considered retail and must be produced by an officially licensed vendor.

Supplier Support and Resources

Bids and Contracts

MWBE and Small Business

SDVOB (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business)

Payments

SUNY and NYS