Vendors and Suppliers

Thank you for your interest in having WWU as a customer!

partners The Western Washington University Purchasing Department understands the value of a good working relationship. We've put together these web pages to introduce ourselves to you, the Vendor. Please explore this website to acquaint yourself with our policies, procedures, and procurement practices. Visit often to keep up to date on ever-changing bid opportunities.

WWU PCard

Western Washington University (Western) purchases a wide range of goods and services. If an item is not restricted (e.g. food and beverage, furniture, services, software, web services and certain computer equipment) and the total cost is less than $3,000 individual departments can make purchases on their own using their University PCard.

For non-restricted purchases under $1,000 a department may use a department Purchase Order. If you accept a department Purchase Order number on an order, be sure the Purchase Order number, department name and the name of the WWU employee ordering the item appears on your invoice/supporting documentation. All invoices are sent directly to Accounts Payable:

Business Services, Accounts Payable
Western Washington University
PO Box 29420
Bellingham, WA 98228-1420

Purchases above $3600 require a minimum of three competitive quotes:
To be considered to receive a quote you will need to make sure the Appropriate Buyer is aware of your company’s capability and knows how to get a quote document to you. The Purchasing Contact List page shows this information. You will also want to be sure to register at the Office of State Procurement Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) site where larger dollar value quote and proposal requests will be listed.

Much of the purchasing for goods and services is handled through long term major contracts. These can be either contracts which are established by WWU as the result of a competitive process, or they may be contracts established by the Office of State Procurement or the Department of Information Services. At times, contracts established by other Washington state universities or consortiums are used. When contracts are put out for bid they will go through Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS).

Purchases above $3,600 are now required to be posted on WEBS:
All vendors must register at the Office of State Procurement, Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) site where all formal and informal quote and proposal request between $3,600 and $50,400 will be listed.

Vendors needing assistance may contact WEBS Customer Service at (360) 902-7400 or email them at WEBSCustomerService@ga.wa.gov.

Purchases in excess of $50,400 require sealed bidding:
Any goods or service purchase over $50,400 will also be listed on the WEBS site. Your firm can register at this site and indicate what types of business opportunities you are interested in, and you will be automatically notified when bids or quotes are listed in those categories by any state agency. Sealed bidding is a bit more formalized process.

We value suppliers who can help us simplify the ordering, order fulfillment, invoicing and payment processes. Because we employ a largely decentralized purchasing system, it is important to provide tools which make details about products easily available, offer a very competitive price and a rapid and efficient ordering and delivery system.

Purchase of Architect and Engineering Services:
Every year the University will place an advertisement in the Daily Journal of Commerce and the Bellingham Herald to solicit qualification for architect and engineering services. A roster of all qualified firms will be established and kept on file for one year at the Office of Facilities Management.

All firms legally engaged in the State of Washington in the practice of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, interior design, planning and related services are encouraged to submit a completed standard Federal 254 form with a cover letter (certified minority or women’s business enterprises shall indicate that status in their cover letter and attach a copy of their certification letter from the Washington State OMWBE).

For small projects: (consultant fees less than $100,000), repairs and emergency work, the University may select consultants directly from the standard Federal 254 file without further notice.
For major projects: (fees in excess of $100,000), advertisements will appear in the Bellingham Herald and Daily Journal of Commerce indicating the intent of the University to select a consultant for a specific project.

Public Works Construction Projects:
Construction, remodeling and maintenance contracts are awarded through a competitive bidding process. The University will advertise these projects in the Bellingham Herald and the Daily Journal of Commerce. Generally these types of projects have a mandatory pre-bid walk through requirement to which you need to send a representative who is qualified to comprehend the technical aspects of the project. A set of plans and specifications are sent to plan centers for use by general contractors, subcontractors and sub-suppliers and available for purchase at Applied Digital Imaging, located in Bellingham. A listing of current projects is available on the Contract Administration website. At this time, specifications and bid documents are not available on line.

Bid Bonds: When the sum of the base bid plus all additive bid alternates exceeds $25,000.00 a certified check, bank cashier’s check or original bid bond, made payable to Western Washington University for an amount equal to at least five (5%) of the total bid, shall accompany each bid as evidence of good faith and as a guarantee that if awarded the contract, the bidder will execute the contract and give a 100% payment and performance bond.
Payment and Performance Bonds: For construction contracts over $25,000.00, the contractor must furnish a 100% payment and performance bond.
Liability Insurance: Minimum liability insurance coverage’s and limits are established by the Risk Management Department. Routinely, these amounts are two million dollars each for General Liability and Automotive Liability. Insurance requirements for major projects are determined on a case-by-case basis by Risk Management and Purchasing.

WEBS (Washington Electronic Business Solutions) - Click here to view current bids

Driving Directions
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333 32nd Street, Suite 140, Bellingham (Not a mailing address)

From I-5:

Southbound

Take the Samish Way exit 252 - go 0.2 mi
Continue on 36th St - go 0.2 mi
Turn right at Fielding Ave - go 0.1 mi
Turn right at the stop sign
Turn right at the first parking entrance
333 32nd Street is the building on your left
Purchasing is on the first floor, first door on the right

Northbound

Take Samish Way exit 252 - go 0.2 mi
Turn left on S Samish Way - go 0.4 mi (where it becomes Lincoln)
Turn left at the light and go over freeway (Samish Way)
Turn left on 36th Street - go 0.2 mi
Curve to the right onto Fielding Ave - go 0.1 mi
Turn right at the stop sign
Turn right at the first parking entrance
333 32nd Street is the building on your left
Purchasing is on the first floor, first door on the right

Important Links
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Western Washington University Institutional Profile

Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) - Register your business to view bidding opportunities!

Public Records Request

Standard Purchase Order Terms & Conditions