60.35 - Blanket Purchase Orders

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Last updated: July 2026.

A. Purpose. Enable University of Idaho departments to make repeated purchases efficiently under a single purchasing instrument, reducing administrative burden while aggregating spend for better pricing

B. Scope. This policy applies to University of Idaho departments using Blanket Purchase Orders (BPOs) to procure goods or services through Purchasing Services.

C. Definitions.

C-1. Blanket Purchase Order (BPO). A purchasing tool issued for a fixed period (often a fiscal year) or up to a dollar limit, used for multiple purchases of the same item(s) or recurring charges.

D. Policy.

D-1. Authorized Uses. Purchasing Services utilizes BPOs in two situations:

  1. High-Volume Purchases of routinely bought items (e.g., office products, hardware, lab supplies, chemicals) over a defined period.
  2. Multiple Periodic Purchases of the same item over a defined period (e.g., monthly copier charges).
  3. Required Blanket Orders. Certain categories of goods and services must be established as Blanket Purchase Orders. These include, but are not limited to, copiers, bottled water services, and gas cylinder rentals/refills, due to their recurring nature and need for ongoing supplier access.

Note: Each Blanket Purchase Order must include all relevant identifiers, such as account numbers, machine numbers, and delivery site information, to ensure accurate billing and tracking.

D-2. Advantages. BPOs enable the University to aggregate demand for better pricing and reduce paperwork by allowing a single PO to cover a defined period; dollar amounts may be adjusted as needed via a Change Request.

D-3. Validity Period. A BPO is valid for a fixed period, typically a fiscal year, or for a defined dollar amount.

D-4. Approvals. Purchasing Services approval is required for BPOs.

E. Procedure.

E-1. Initiate. The department completes a Blanket Order Requisition.

E-2. Submit for Approval. Purchasing Services reviews/approves the Blanket Order Requisition.

E-3. Set Term. Establish a fixed validity period (usually a fiscal year) or a defined dollar ceiling.

E-4. Adjustments. Request dollar adjustments, if needed, via a Change Request.

F. Contact Information. Purchasing Services purchasing@uidaho.edu uidaho.edu/purchasing

G. Forms.

  1. Blanket Purchase Order Form

Version History

July 2026. Interim approved on July 13, 2026. Revisions introduce several substantive enhancements, including required use of BPOs for certain recurring services, explicit Purchasing Services approval requirements, and additional tracking expectations such as required identifiers. The revision also modernizes the policy format.

2005.