Procurement Card

The Procurement Card is designed to be used when purchasing low dollar (under $4,999) retail type items. Any merchant who accepts Visa as payment for purchases accepts the Procurement Card. All Dartmouth non-student employees are eligible to apply for a Procurement Card.

Table of Contents

Procurement Card Policy
General Process
Procurement Card Forms
Procurement Card System User's Guide
Returning Funds for Personal Expenses

Procurement Card Policy

The Dartmouth College Procurement Card (P-Card) Program is designed to improve efficiency in processing low dollar value purchases ($4,999.00 or less) while providing adequate documentation of expenses, appropriate charging of expenses, and approvals.

Read the full Procurement Card Policy.

  • The P-Card program is a method for conveniently paying for allowable small dollar items.

  • The Business Expense Policy provides specific requirements for allowable travel and business expenses.

  • The Dartmouth P-Card Program is designed to improve efficiency in processing low dollar value purchases ($4,999.00 or less). The P-Card is a Visa Card and can be used to make purchases for goods (and some services) with any merchant who accepts the Visa Card. P-Card transactions for non-restricted commodities cannot exceed $4,999.00 per transaction (including all delivery, shipping and/or special handling charges).

  • P-Card transactions are for items of tangible ownership and basic services. P-Cards may not be used for entertainment expenses, or any travel related expenses (with exception of some bus tickets).

  • P-Card transactions are approved and allocated to the appropriate chart string or PTAEO in Dartmouth's P-Card system. Each night approved P-Card transactions are loaded into the general ledger. Approvals should be done in the system weekly, prior to sweep days, i.e. Fridays each week. Finance Centers and/or Department Approvers have between 15 and 20 business days to reallocate P-Card purchases to the appropriate chart string or PTAEO before the P-Card system automatically posts the transaction to the default account. The Sweep/Post Date for each transactions in shown in the P-Card systems.

  • Documentation for P-Card purchases is expected to be delivered to the appropriate approving entity within seven business days from date of purchase. See details regarding required documentation below.

  • Receipts are not required for items under $75 purchased on a P-Card, with the following exceptions. Due to NCAA rules and regulations, all varsity coaches and non-coaching staff members with sports specific responsibilities in those varsity sports are required to submit receipts for all purchases and provide a descriptive business purpose, regardless of amount. Purchaser must submit through the P-Card eForm, a business purpose and the chart string no matter the dollar amount. At $75.00 and over the receipt must be included. Only exception is for WB Mason where no submission is required if the purchase is for office supplies and the chart string is the default.

  • All items purchased with Dartmouth funds (subvention, grants, gifts, or reserve funds) are the property of Dartmouth College.

  • If a Cardholder doesn't abide by Dartmouth College purchasing policies, the Procurement Card Non-Compliance penalties will go into effect. The P-Card is a privilege, not an entitlement.

  • It is strongly recommended that before anyone uses or is given a P-Card they review all P-Card policies and regularly use the Procure-To-Pay Guide for obtaining the correct method to pay for goods and services.

  • Contact your Finance Center, Department P-Card Approver or Procurement Services with questions prior to purchasing items or anytime you need assistance.

General Process

  1. Complete the Procurement Card Application Form
  2. Once complete, signed, and saved to your computer:
    1. Visit eForm Library and choose the General Request eForm.
    2. Select "Credit Card Application" as the Request Type.
    3. Enter the cardholder's name in the Request Explanation field.
    4. Attach the completed and signed Card Application Form.
    5. The General Request eForm must be routed for approval by the Department Head and Fiscal Officer. 
      1. Enter the Last Name and First Name of the President, Vice President, Dean, Director, or Department Head approver, select their name, and click "Add Approver."
      2. Enter the Last Name and First Name of the Divisional Fiscal Officer, select their name, and click "Add Approver."
    6. Click "Submit" to send the General Request eForm to the first approver after completing all the steps.

Procurement Card Forms

Procurement Card System User's Guide

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