Unauthorized Purchases

Unauthorized purchases (formerly known as "after-the-fact" orders), are purchase transactions that are either entered into by an individual who is not authorized to contract on behalf of the university, or entered into by an individual normally authorized to contract, but who uses an unauthorized procurement method or exceeds their delegated authority.

That authority is limited to Procurement organization buyers and contract administrators to assure compliance with federal and state law, university policy, and prudent business and financial practices.

All university purchases must be authorized in advance, via a written University of California, Merced, purchase order, or university Procurement Card. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​