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SPCC Policies & Procedures

The following policies and procedures apply to the use of the Small Purchase Charge Card by all agencies and institutions of the Commonwealth:

Policy/Procedure Updates

Purchase/Payment Approval Request Process

Updated September 8, 2021

Effective immediately, the purchase/payment approval request (cabinet approval) process, regardless of funding source, is ONLY required for purchases or payments valued at $1,000 and above. For purchases of $999 or below, cabinet approval is NOT required prior to making the purchase or payment. ALL other procurement and/or University requirements still apply! This does not mean, however that you can split up your purchases to not require cabinet approval. That could be considered order splitting (if the total goes over your SPCC limit – which is strictly prohibited), and is also purposefully circumventing current University requirements.

Added March 24, 2020

As we continue the vital mission of educating our students during this unprecedented health crisis via innovative methods, we must also be mindful of the impact this could have on our operating budgets. Therefore, in the interest of the larger University financial picture, all purchases and/or payment of goods and services, with the exception of Emergency Management and Facilities, require Cabinet-level approval prior to procuring, regardless of fund source and payment method. To ensure approvals are obtained prior to purchasing or making payment, all SPCCs, except those mentioned above, have been hereby suspended until further notice. To facilitate this process, please fill out this Purchase/Payment Approval Request form for Cabinet review. An FAQ page for this process is forthcoming.

Changes to the Maximum Single Transaction Limit

Added March 11, 2020

What is it?
First, what is a “Single Transaction Limit?” Single Transaction Limit means the maximum dollar amount a Cardholder can spend on ONE transaction. The Department of Accounts (DOA) sets the state-mandated maximum limits, however the University can set its own standard limits for any amount below that.

How do I know what my Single Transaction Limit is?
If you don’t know what your single transaction limit on your SPCC is, contact your SPCC Program Administrators, or follow these steps to check in Works:

  1. Log into your SPCC Works Account.
  2. Under the Account Dashboard section, select the drop-down by Account ID and click View Full Details.
  3. In your full profile details, select the Tab for “Spend Control Profile” and what is listed under “current profile” includes your single transaction and cycle limits, and tells you if you have any restrictions allowed.

What is staying the same?

  • Your individual permanent SPCC Single Transaction and Cycle Limits are staying the same.
  • Quote and eVA entry requirements stay the same.
  • Allocation, sign off, and file documentation requirements stay the same.

So what is NEW and when is this changing?:
The University is raising its Single Transaction Limit from $5,000 to $10,000 to mirror DOA’s recent change. This change is taking effect starting at the beginning of the April SPCC Cycle – March 14, 2020 (which is a Saturday).

How does this affect you?
If you need to make a purchase between $5,000 and $10,000, you no longer have to put it on Leigh Penn’s Gold Card! Simply fill out the SPCC Profile Change Request Form on the Procurement website OR contact myself or Lindsay Fare to give you a temporary increase to make the payment. For any other times you need to make a purchase that exceeds your single transaction limit, contact me or Lindsay Fare to increase your limits appropriately. Adjusting a Cardholder’s limits to $10,000 STL / $50,000 CL is on an as-needed basis only, unless there is documented need for a permanently higher limit.

Changes to the University’s Single Quote Limit

Added March 11, 2020

What is it?
First, what is a “Single Quote Limit?” The term Single Quote Limit means the University has to receive or attempt to receive a minimum of ONE quote from a micro-certified business if the purchase is not being made with a vendor on contract or is not exempt from competition per the University’s Small Purchase Procedures.

What is staying the same?
Much of what you already know and do STILL applies:

  • Small Purchase Procedure exemption tables for competition (quotes) and/or eVA requirements still apply.
  • Purchasing from vendors on contract or those exempt per the above SPP exemption tables still supersedes the need to get certified-micro business quotes.
  • The University’s overall SWaM goal still remains at 42%

So what is NEW and when is this changing?:
The Single Quote Limit is changing from $5,000 to $10,000! This change is taking effect starting at the beginning of the April SPCC Cycle – March 14, 2020 (which is a Saturday).

How does this affect you?
You now only need one qualifying micro-business quote for purchases up to $10,000! You no longer need to seek additional competition for purchases between $5,000 and $10,000! However, please contact Procurement Services for assistance if needed.

SPCC Manual

University policy states that use of the Small Purchase Charge Card (“SPCC”) is required when procuring goods and services from a supplier that accepts charge cards with a few caveats (see Charge Card Fee Guidance). The purpose of the SPCC Manual is to provide guidance on the appropriate use of the SPCC.

CAPP Manual Topic 20355

The CAPP Manual (Commonwealth Accounting Policies and Procedures) documents the policies and procedures associated with the Commonwealth’s centralized accounting and financial systems. CAPP Topic 20355 details the DOA requirements for Agency Small Purchase Charge Card Programs. University policies and procedures related to the SPCC Program are developed from these requirements.

Proper Use of Card

The Cardholder is responsible for ensuring appropriate use of the SPCC:

  • SPCCs must be used for official Commonwealth of Virginia purchases only.
  • The SPCC must not be used to circumvent procurement guidelines.
  • Efforts should be made to use vendors on contract who accept the SPCC, where appropriate, in order to maximize administrative cost savings.
  • If, for any reason, the card company denies the transaction, do not allow the vendor to circumvent the denial. Contact the Program Administrator for assistance.

Use of the SPCC is disallowed for the following purchases:

  • Personal items
  • Flowers (except those purchased for commencement and theatre production decor)
  • Cash advances
  • Alcohol
  • Retail account memberships (Amazon Prime, BJ’s, Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.)
  • Travel Insurance or upgrades to business or higher class airfare tickets
  • Gifts for Employee Performance Recognition
  • Purchases using the following funds (check the Chart of Accounts for Fund and Card Use Type):
    • Equipment Trust Fund “ETF” (1117)
    • Agency Funds (Banner funds beginning with 8xxx)
    • Non-State (local) Funds
    • Foundation Funds

Prohibited SPCC/Gold Card Use

  • Never use your state-issued card for personal purchases.
  • Never enter your full charge card number on a fax, in email or on any written document.
  • Never use another Cardholder’s card or allow another person to access your card or number.
  • Never split a purchase to circumvent established purchasing procedures or exceed your single transaction limit. Contact your Program Administrator if you need to make a purchase over your established transaction or cycle limit.
  • Never pay a past due invoice without prior approval from DOA.

Card Spending Limits and Restrictions

Single transaction limits (STL), monthly card cycle limits (CL), and purchase restrictions are set by the Program Administrator based on your purchasing needs as indicated by your department’s historical spend. No Cardholder may use their SPCC to authorize a transaction above the maximum small purchase charge card limit of $10,000 per transaction. If a cardholder authorizes a charge in excess of the per transaction limit established for that card, whether by splitting the invoice, encouraging the vendor to circumvent the card company’s denial, or any other means, the card will be revoked for a minimum of 30 days. Repeat offenses will result in permanent revocation.

The Cardholder should fill out the SPCC Profile Change Request Form if they need to…

  • make a transaction above their single transaction limit but below $10,000, OR
  • need to make a purchase of one of the types of restrictions placed on their card (food or travel).

Late Invoice DOA Approvals

Invoices being processed by SPCC or Gold Card must be paid 30 days from the date UMW receives the invoice.  It is important to date stamp any invoices when you receive them.  If you receive an invoice which was previously received by another individual or department, including by Accounts Payable, the 30-day count down for prompt payment starts according to the date the invoice was INITIALLY received at the University, not received by you. Thus, date stamping is important to ensure we pay all invoices properly and on time.

If you received the invoice from another individual or department and the invoice was NOT date stamped or marked when it was received, it is your responsibility to reach out to the individual you received the invoice from and request proof of when it was received. This could be an email with a date stamp, a handwritten note, etc.

If it is now past the 30 day mark from when the invoice was first received by the University, you MUST obtain approval from the Department of Accounts (DOA) PRIOR to paying the invoice.  To allow the Program Administrators to facilitate getting this approval from DOA, fill out the Late Payment Request Form. Evidence of when the invoice was received is required by DOA before they will consider approving the late payment request.

Once the Program Administrators receive approval from DOA, you will be sent an approval email instructing you to move forward with the payment. That email must be kept in your SPCC Payment Card File.

Card Security

Authorized use of the SPCC is limited to the person whose name appears on the face of the card. The SPCC must not be loaned to another person. If a cardholder knowingly allows another person to use the card, the named cardholder’s privileges will be revoked for a minimum of 30 days. This does not preclude a cardholder from placing an order with a vendor by telephone or electronically and then sending a representative to claim the items ordered.

The SPCC should be kept in an accessible but secure location. The account number must not be posted or left in a conspicuous place and may not be faxed, emailed or mailed to vendors. If the SPCC is lost or stolen, the cardholder must immediately notify the originating bank for the card (currently Bank of America Visa) by calling the number on the reverse of the card (888-449-2273) and also notify the agency’s Program Administrator. The Commonwealth of Virginia is liable for the use of the purchasing card by authorized users, provided that use is within the single per transaction dollar limit not exceeding $10,000. The Commonwealth does not accept liability for the following:

  • Unauthorized use of the SPCC.
  • Account numbers that are fraudulently used.
  • Purchases made with stolen or lost cards that are beyond the maximum limit of $50 and the maximum length of liability of 24 hours after discovery and reporting of card loss or theft.

Returns, Credits, and Disputed Items

If an item needs to be returned for any reason, the cardholder should send the item back to the vendor in the manner agreed upon. Credits for returned items must be applied to the card used to make the original purchase. Store credit is not authorized.

Credits should be signed off in Works and a credit receipt should  be requested from the vendor and should be kept in the purchasing file.

If the cardholder and the vendor cannot resolve an issue, the cardholder should dispute the transaction with the card company. The card company will investigate the dispute and assist with resolution.

Fraudulent and Incorrect Charges

Fraudulent Charges:  If a fraudulent transaction appears on your card, contact Bank of America and your Program Administrator immediately. BOA may be able to remove fraudulent charges from your account.  A new card will be issued in your name. Do not sign off on these transactions.  BOA will determine if they are able to remove the transactions.  If a credit is issued by the vendor, the charges will not be removed.  In the case of a credit, Procurement Services may advise you to sign off on the charge and the credit to balance the account.  When signing off in Works, all fraudulent charges and credits must include comments indicating their origination and resolution.

Incorrect/Disputed Charges:  If you experience an incorrect or wrongful charge from a vendor that you work with/buy from, contact that business to clear up the situation. If the vendor issues a refund, the original transaction and the credit transaction will both remain on Works – you will FOAP and sign off on these transactions, but only after the credit comes through from the vendor. Make sure to note in the comments section why there is a credit and what transaction it is linked to.

Online Reconciliation with Bank of America Works

The Bank of America ‘Works‘ application is the online reconciliation tool used for the Small Purchase Charge Card Program. Works provides the ability for online allocation and approval (sign off) of transactions required in the reconciliation process, as well as provides electronic billing statements at the close of each card billing cycle to enable reconciliation of the card. If you have not received an email from the Commonwealth of Virginia Charge Card Administration with your Works application validation link, please contact UMW’s Program Administrator.

The Works Manual and Reference Guides provides instructions on Works login, navigation, and reporting. For questions about the Works Manual, contact the TCSS department.

Bank of America also has its own Works User Guide that may be a helpful resource if needed.

Cardholders must reconcile their purchasing file and receipts to the monthly charge card statement. The billing cycle ends on or about the 15th of each month. At the end of the cycle, cardholders should login to their accounts in Works and print a copy of the statement.

Please Note: It is the responsibility of the cardholder to ensure that all invoices, receipts and relevant forms/documentation are located within the payment card file for the corresponding billing cycle.

Dates of service and itemized descriptions are required for Prepays and items charged to an account code beginning with 72. A reminder will appear in the column labeled Pre Pay Dates/72 Itemized Desc. and this reminder should be replaced with the appropriate information for that charge.

A list of Prepay Items are found on the Accounts Payable Pre Payments Page.