Requesting Advance Payments

Generally, goods and services provided to the University are paid for after receipt. On occasion, it may be necessary to provide a known and reputable supplier with an advance payment (prepayment).

Specific instances where advanced payments are permissible (with proper approval):

• High-cost equipment manufactured to meet functional specifications
• Books, periodicals and newspapers, including special order items for trade and professional publications
• Customized goods/services that cannot be re-sold to others once work has started
• Facilities/hotel deposits
• Caterers for food and beverage service for large official functions where caterer requires a deposit
• Research abroad: including deposits or expenses related to the research
• Principal investigators and other research personnel who conduct research using human subjects and pay the subjects a small amount (check for entire amount is paid to the investigator or experiment controller)
• Maintenance service contracts
• Honoraria
• Membership dues
• Seminar and colloquia registration fees
• Performing artists, when contract requires payment before performance begins

Designated Procurement Director approval is required for all advance payments outside the scope of those listed above.

1. After adding items to your BearBuy shopping cart, click the Proceed to Checkout button.
2. On the Requisition Summary, click the Pencil icon next to the line item.
   
3. Select "Yes" from the Advance Payment dropdown, and click Save.
   
4. The line item is now marked for Advance Payment review.
   
5. Repeat these steps for each line item that requires advance payment.
6. Attach appropriate supporting documentation indicating the business need for the advance payment (or written confirmation of total cost, including tax, freight, & handling).
7. Assign the cart to your department's Requester to complete the checkout process.
8. Once the requisition is fully approved, the purchase order (PO) will be dispatched to the supplier.
9. Payment will not be released to the supplier until the invoice is submitted to Accounts Payable. Please open a ticket with SCM Response Team to request to rush the payment *after* the invoice is submitted. If you don't open a ticket, the invoice will be paid according to the payment terms on the PO (such as Net 30).

Approval

• Route to authorized department approver for all advance payments <$10k.
• Designated Central Procurement Buyer approval is required for advance payments ≥$10k.

Reach out to the SCM Response Team with questions or support needs.