Purchases that involve building maintenance or labor and materials construction contracts require prevailing wage rates (see the Prevailing Wage Rates below) and insurance. These types of contracts must be processed through the University’s physical plant, or facilities planning division, as appropriate, regardless of dollar amount. Such projects are strictly regulated by law. Violation is a criminal offense and carries personal liability. 

Examples: Janitorial Services, carpet installation, moving of University property, maintenance of grounds, heating, air conditioning, elevators, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, building repairs, building construction, etc.

Employees: Departments may not contract with a University employee, or with any business in which a University employee or their family has an interest.

Prevailing Wage Rates

Purchases that involve building maintenance or labor and materials construction contracts require prevailing wage rates. Get the prevailing wage rates sheet for each UMass campus. 

Materials (Supplies, Parts, Utilities and Equipment)

Materials (goods) must be purchased through a BuyWays catalog if targeted goods are available. Where this condition cannot be met, the following should be followed:

  • Purchases less than or equal to $10,000: Department can use their best business judgment.
  • Purchases between $10,000.01 and $50,000: Must be purchased through an existing contract. Choose the most advantageous of three vendor quotes. Must be accompanied by a UPST-approved Sole Source/No Bid Justification form.
  • Purchases over $50,000: Must be purchased through an existing contract, must be competitively bid through the UPST, and must be accompanied by a UPST-approved Sole Source/No Bid Justification form.