Departments at the university buy a wide variety of products and services, enabling administrative and academic units to fulfill the institution’s objectives in instruction, research, and patient care. Procurement Services is responsible for helping units complete the procurement process in the most cost-efficient and convenient way possible while ensuring compliance with university policies and principles. Please visit the University of Michigan Procurement Homepage for updated information.
Please contact the Department of Human Genetics Purchasing Agent Rick Ames for any purchasing questions.
Marketsite+ is the university’s online catalog ordering system where employees can place orders from many different suppliers, including University Contracts. Shopping through Marketsite+ is similar to shopping online, and it offers many benefits such as U-M negotiated prices. To set up your Marketsite+ User Profile, view this guide.
Procurement released an updated version of M-Marketsite, called “Marketsite +”. As before you will access this system through Wolverine Access, search and click on the block ‘Marketsite+ (Browse Only)’. It appears that individual user profile settings carried over to the new system, but please check your settings.
The biggest change to the system is the home page. There are now three new blocks on the home page, “Shop Goods & Services”, “Request Sourcing Event”, and “Request Contract”.
As lab managers, the only block you are likely to use is “Shop Goods and Services”. The other two blocks will be utilized by our purchasing team. Click on the block “Shop Goods & Services” to access the punch-outs for companies such as ‘Fisher Scientific’. After this point the look and feel should behave the same as your previous experience, including check-out.
A reminder that in the Department of Human Genetics all Marketsite+ carts should be assigned to Jeff Creech (creechj).
The second block “Request Sourcing Event” allows for easy competitive bidding of $50K+ orders, where you don’t know who your supplier will be. If you already have a preferred supplier, you would use the Sole Source Justification form, as usual. If you would like to discuss a competitive bid for your lab, please reach out to Jeff Creech (creechj@umich.edu) and he will work with you to initiate a request for a competitive bid.
Marketsite+
M-Marketsite: You have access to M-Marketsite Browse Only, where you can create M-Marketsite carts from the University’s contracted suppliers: https://wolverineaccess.umich.edu/page/all/m-marketsite-browse-only
When you meet with Rick he will help you set-up your default purchasing profile to make it easier
Directions to set-up your M-Marketsite Profile: https://mylinccontent.dsc.umich.edu/mais/html/PR_MS_MarketsiteProfileSetUp.html
Directions on creating a M-Markesite Order: https://mylinccontent.dsc.umich.edu/mais/html/PR_MS_MarketsiteOrderEnter.html
Directions on how to assign a M-Marketsite cart is available here https://mylinccontent.dsc.umich.edu/mais/html/PR_MS_AssignCartComplete.html
For University Products, Services, and Contracts, please view the online catalog.
You would use the PRF when you cannot buy what you need from M-Marketsite or one of the University’s Strategic Suppliers, and they accept Purchase Orders. You are authorized to request orders in a PRF below $50,000, without special approvals. See below (Order $$ Amount) for additional information.
I requested access for you to have access to the Purchase Request form.
Directions on how to submit a Purchase Request Form: https://mylinccontent.dsc.umich.edu/mais/html/PR_EP_CreatePurchasingRequest.html
Be sure to attach a valid quote, or include a website URL for the item that will be ordered, to be sure the correct price and supplier is used in the Purchase Order by our Purchasing Team
A Purchase Order (PO) is generated as a result of completing the ePro Requisition form in M-Pathways. It is also used for transactions $50,000 and greater, and for those requiring special approvals. Log in to the M-Pathways ePro Requisition System to create a Purchasing Request Form. For purchases $50,000 and greater, please complete the Sole Source Justification Form.
The U-M Purchasing Card (PCard) is issued to eligible employees and may be used solely for purchases related to official university business. All items purchased with a PCard are the university’s property. The U-M PCard may be used for Travel and travel-related expenses, especially international and conference travel; Hosting expenses, memberships, dues, and subscriptions; and Transactions under $5,000 when the item is not available through an internal service provider or university contract (see Find Products & Services search tool). See SPG 507.10-1 Travel and Business Hosting Expense Policy for further information on PCard/Travel Card policies. PCard/Travel Card holders are responsible for the proper use of the card and recording of the charges in Emburse Enterprise.
If you find you must purchase items not available from M-Marketsite or one of the other University’s Strategic Suppliers, and you are unable to use a Department P-Card, you may purchase the item on your personal credit card and be reimbursed.
We use a system called Emburse for P-Card expense reconciliation and for out-of-pocket reimbursement
You would want to provide the following to Tim, Dr. Mueller’s research administrator, who will reconcile the expenses.
Receipt showing proof of payment
Business Purpose (what is it that was ordered and why was it ordered)
Shortcode where the expense should be charged
Questions should be directed to Ruth Halsey, Administrative Manager, halseyr@med.umich.edu.
The University’s Standard Practice Guide (SPG) requires that all expenses be processed within 45 calendar days https://spg.umich.edu/policy/507.10-1.
Expenses should be submitted to your delegate contact or to the Shared Services Center (SSC) within 30 calendar days from end of travel, date of event, or date of purchase, to allow time for processing. Individuals submitting expenses directly to SSC are required to complete in-person training first. Turn-around for report preparation by your expense delegate may be delayed during peak workload periods, so prompt submission is requested.
A list of Department delegates for assistance with expense reimbursement is available here.
Out-of-pocket expenses and requests for reimbursements that are submitted in excess of 30 calendar days may be considered taxable income. Taxable income reimbursements are unallowable on sponsored funds, so late submissions may be non-reimbursable. Departmental policy requires special approval from the faculty mentor/supervisor and Department Chair.
Reimbursements to employees are processed by Shared Services using Emburse Enterprise: https://ssc.umich.edu/travel-expense/reimbursements-pcard-expenses/. The University of Michigan has upgraded its expense reporting system to a new software solution called Chrome River, which is live as of August 1, 2024. The previous expense management system, Concur, was retired on September 30, 2024. Effective January 17, 2025, Chrome River, the expense management system used by U-M, will be known as Emburse Enterprise. There are no changes to the system’s functionality and users can continue to access it through Wolverine Access—where the new name and logo will appear—with their current login credentials.
Reimbursements to non-employees are processed using the Travel and Business Hosting Expense Report (TBHER). Reports should be prepared and submitted to Shared Services Center (SSC): https://ssc.umich.edu/travel-expense/reimbursements-for-non-employees/
PeoplePay is U-M’s process to pay for services from individuals rather than businesses. It can also be used to pay individuals for honoraria and royalties as well as pay—or record—prizes, gifts, and awards. The PeoplePay Decision Tool helps you pay a person for non-appointment-related items or services by asking simple questions to help you determine the correct process or form to use.
Reimbursements to non-employees are processed using the Travel and Business Hosting Expense Report (TBHER). Reports should be prepared and submitted to Shared Services Center (SSC): https://ssc.umich.edu/travel-expense/reimbursements-for-non-employees/
Internal service providers (ISP) are university business units that provide goods and services to other university units and units. Using internal service providers can save time and money—and since the transaction is between two university units, Procurement Services review and approval is not necessary. Orders can be placed online, by phone, or by fax. Related costs are billed to the receiving unit using an approved recharge rate and through Service Unit Billing (SUB) using a shortcode. Search through our list of U-M Internal Service Providers and university-wide contracts to determine if the product or service you need is available through an internal service provider.
The Lab Managers in each lab, under the direction of the faculty member in that lab, lead all purchasing activities in the lab. Some Lab Managers/faculty delegate purchasing requests to other staff or students in the lab, while others maintain full control.
Important things to consider, regardless of whoever submits purchasing requests are:
Adequately manage inventory -- to avoid waste
Dollar amount of the purchase is considered prior to placing an order to ensure policy is followed
Restricted items are purchased using the correct methods
The correct buying method for each purchase (1. M-Marketsite, 2. Other Strategic Suppliers, 3. PRF, 4. P-Card, 5. Out of Pocket)
The correct shortcode is used each time for purchasing requests
All purchases are marked as received after receipt of the items
Order $$ Amounts:
You have authorization to request M-Markesite Orders with your faculty member’s approval up to $50,000. Special approval is needed for items costing $50,000 or more. See our Purchasing Team for these instances.
P-Cards are authorized for orders up to $5,000. It is a violation of University policy to split orders to get below this $5,000 limit. Please speak with our Purchasing Team if you must place a purchase on a P-Card that costs $5,000 or more, so we can obtain appropriate approvals from Procurement.
Non-M-Marketsite orders that are $10,000 or more MUST be requested using a Purchase Request Form (PRF) and be accompanied by a quote and a Sole Source Justification Form or competitively bid. Please speak with our team the first time you must place an order request for an item meeting these criteria.
Authorized Signers:
You are not authorized to sign any procurement or other legal contracts of any kind, including: purchase agreements, hotel conference reservation confirmations, non-disclosure agreements, data sharing agreements, etc. All contracts must be processed through the proper University offices, for both your protection as well as that of the University. Questions should be addressed to our Admin Team.
Marking Orders as Received:
Directions on how to access ePro Receiving and how to mark orders as received are available here: https://mylinccontent.dsc.umich.edu/mais/html/PR_EP_CasualReceiving.html
You should mark all orders placed by M-Marketsite and Purchase Request Form as ‘Received’ in the Procurement System
Each month Rick will send the Lab Managers a list of items purchased in the last month, but not yet marked as ‘Received’.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Mt7tHZ-24yaHLMTgmomQy0wYPBqWT9tjBHDVIVR2r4c/edit?usp=sharing.
A few procedure notes:
Orders less than $10,000, with a reasonable number of order lines, and received before 2:00 pm are to be placed the same day. Communication to the research labs if this is not possible explaining the situation with copy to the Administrative Manager.
The persons submitting the order requests should be compared to the list of approved orderers before placing the order, to confirm the faculty member has given authority to that person to request orders. If they do not appear on the list, check with the lab manager or faculty member before placing the order.
For purchases on sponsored accounts (PG starts with a ‘F’ or a ‘N’), M-Reports should be reviewed for the specific PG prior to order placement to validate the project is active and there is budget line available for the order. If no budget line exists, reach out to the research administrator.
Orders of $5,000 or more should receive prior approval via email from the project administrator, regardless of funding source, prior to placing the order.
All orders (M-Marketsite, P-Card, Direct Orders, PRF), regardless of size, are to be logged for confirmation tracking, workload tracking, internal controls, and MNI effort calculation purposes.
As confirmations are received for orders, the row is to be highlighted in yellow. Follow-up should occur for orders where a confirmation is outstanding for more than 1 week. Confirmations should be saved as a PDF on our server for document imaging.
Any compliance issues related to an order (wrong information provided, missing approvals, etc.) are to be logged, particularly for MNI, so we can charge them for this effort. Repeated or concerning compliance issues should be reported to the Administrative Manager.
Finally, attached are purchasing statistics for this year. Below are some general impressions from these statistics:
A total of 4,206 orders were placed this year. This is an increase of 8.8% upon last year’s orders.
Average FTEs needed to place orders is 80%, not including remaining Purchasing clerk effort, including: concur reconciliation, SOA reconciliation, front office support, timekeeping, and document imaging.
The vast majority of our orders cost less than $10,000, have 3 lines or fewer, and have no compliance issues. Approximately 1% to 5% of our orders require significantly more work than the average order.
The busiest workday for placing orders is Mondays, followed by Wednesday, Thursday, Tuesday, and Friday
Over 75% of our orders placed are M-Marketsite orders.
Approximately 67% of our orders are for the DHG, and 33% are with MNI. Workload is slightly higher for MNI due to compliance issues for MNI.
A note that our Deposit Log was updated for FY2025. As always our Deposit Log and Deposit Procedures are on our server in the folder: \\maize.umhsnas.med.umich.edu\HumGen\Groups\Administration\Deposits.
A reminder also that Jeff C. is the primary depositor for our Department, with Shaina as the back-up. I am the primary reconciler of deposits made by Jeff or Shaina. If both Jeff and Shaina are out, I would complete the deposit, and Dhammika would reconcile the deposit, to ensure proper internal controls.
Our Journal Entry Log has been updated for FY2025. A reminder it is a Google Sheet available at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18_ONXissZSGJsUvSipjOFQ6V6cTmEdEANZJgrUOafAU/edit?usp=sharing.
A reminder that only Ruth, Dhammika, and Shaina are authorized to request Journal Entries. Molly may request journal entries related to GCP activity only through SSC, and only with prior approval from Ruth.
A few procedure notes:
When practical, Journal Entries (JE) should be requested for completion through Shared Services using their Journal Entry request form: https://teamdynamix.umich.edu/TDClient/40/Portal/Requests/TicketRequests/NewForm?ID=3DL-e-b54FE_. We pay SSC for this service, and we should take advantage of it when practical. Exceptions would be monthly recurring JEs, where we simply need to copy the prior month’s JE, or very simple JEs where it would take more time to request the JE from SSC than prepare it yourself.
All Journal Entries requested or prepared will be logged in the Journal Entry Log, for internal control and workload tracking purposes.
All Journal Entries should have appropriate back-up attached to the JE that documents the revenue or expenses being transferred. For audit purposes, the header of the JE should clearly describe the purpose of the JE, or additional documentation should be attached explaining the purpose of the JE.
Shaina and Dhammika should note Ruth Halsey as the ‘requester’ for all of their JEs, regardless of dollar amount. This will ensure Ruth receives a notification for each JE requested or completed, so it can be easily reviewed for internal control purposes.
Ruth will note Jeff Holden as the requester on all JEs, unless the journal entry has a journal line of $10,000 or more. She will list herself as the requester for JEs with a journal line of $10,000 or more, as, if she lists Jeff H. as the requester for JEs with a journal line of $10,000 or more he will be unable to approve the JE.
Jeff Holden will approve all Journal Entries containing a journal line of $10,000 or more.
At the start of each month Ruth will review all Journal Entries from the prior month to ensure they were prepared correctly, appropriately justified, contained appropriate back-up documentation, and posted as expected.
The log for all Position Action Requests (PAR) changes has been updated for FY2025. A reminder this is a Google Sheet available at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15bD2zJt48925ZOvgKznlO7kNH0hKQOQKDQikwgPmluA/edit?usp=sharing.
This spreadsheet is for workload tracking and internal control purposes. Only Ruth, Dhammika, Shaina, Ashley, and Diana Barman (for faculty appointment changes) are authorized at this time to prepare PAR changes for our Department. I have also granted Jeff Creech and Tom Sorenson access to this spreadsheet, for their information.
A few reminders for business process:
You may prepare your own PARs, or, if you desire, you may request PAR changes through Shared Services using their form: https://teamdynamix.umich.edu/TDClient/40/Portal/Requests/TicketRequests/NewForm?ID=j9ajWGHiM8g_. For any complicated PARs it is recommended it be requested through Shared Services.
When you prepare a PAR you are to log the PAR under the blue column headings. Ruth will complete the green, orange, and purple columns, as needed.
PARs may be prepared by staff in our Department ONLY for individuals who have their primary appointment in our Department. If the individual’s appointment is in another Department, the other Department must prepare the PAR, but our Department must still approve of the PAR.
Only Jeff H. or Ruth may approve of PARs in our Department. If other approvers are required, they are to be added after either Ruth or Jeff approve.
Ruth will approve all PARs prepared or requested by Dhammika, Shaina, or Ashley. Jeff is to be included in the notifications for these PARs.
Jeff will approve all PARs prepared by Ruth or Diana, as they would be related to appointment changes, additional pay changes, or terminations for faculty or staff. Ruth is to be included in the notifications for PARs prepared by Diana.
If effort changes will involve another Department’s shortcode, an appropriate approver from that Department is to be included in the approval flow.
Retroactive appointment changes, terminations, or additional pay changes are to be avoided. If they occur, they are to be thoroughly justified and documented. A reminder that retroactive terminations of temporary employees is not possible.
Retroactive effort changes of 120 days or greater are to be strictly avoided. If they occur, they are to be thoroughly justified and documented.
For audit purposes, all effort changes should include documentation either in the comments or attached to the PAR that documents PI or Department approval of the effort change. When an effort change is unusual, it is recommended that PI or supervisor approval be included for audit purposes.
For audit purposes, all appointment changes, additional pay changes, or terminations should include documentation of the change. For terminations, a copy of the resignation or termination letter should be included. For the renewal of an appointment, the signed renewal letter should be attached to the PAR. For an appointment change, documentation about the appointment change should be attached to the PAR. For additional pay changes, documentation as to the purpose of the additional pay should be attached to the PAR.
To ensure appropriate internal controls, Ruth will review all retroactive effort changes to confirm that the retroactive payroll was properly processed by the payroll office and follow-up if it is incorrect. Due to the added re-work by the Payroll Office and our Department associated with retroactive effort changes, it is asked that retroactive effort changes be avoided when possible.
Website Documents Located: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sUk7C0iPik_p6zd-O_waOZfx3j4PnvK5?usp=sharing
Please contact the Department of Human Genetics Purchasing Agent Jeff Creech for any purchasing questions.
For help with shopping the Marketsite+ catalogs:
Contact 4HELP@umich.edu, 764-HELP (734-764-4357), ITS 4-Help Service Desk
Step-by-step job aids and simulations via the My Learning & Information Center (My LINC) are available to assist you with navigating the site.
For questions about the new sourcing and contracting request forms:
Review this Customer Support Toolkit and this Communications Tips and Tricks slide deck
Contact SSC Finance Customer Care procurement.services@umich.edu, 734-615-2000 option 3, option 3
Page updated 1/29/2026.