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UW Tacoma Procurement Services assists the University community in purchasing and paying for goods and services as well as coordinating travel utilizing a centralized procurement service in accordance with sound business practices and state and federal regulations.
The University of Washington is a public institution and as such, any documents submitted (i.e. bids, proposals, literature, pricing, etc.) are public information.
Business Diversity & Equity Program - Learn more about the UW Tacoma initiative that works to ensure campus is intentional about purchasing goods and services that increase diverse spend dollars by supporting local, small, minority-and-women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
Vendor Support
Seeking payment for an open invoice? Accounts payable functions are managed by individual departments and by UW Procurement Services in Seattle. To start, please contact the department for additional information and review our electronic procurement system resources.
If you are unable to resolve your concern, email the Finance help desk and a member of our team will respond in a timely manner.
UW Tacoma Faculty and Staff
Have questions? Need additional support? Email the Finance help desk and a member of our team will respond in a timely manner.
Food and Beverage Approval
Updated 7/14/2025
In response to recent guidance from campus leadership, all food purchases, regardless of funding source, require pre-approval via the Food Form. Meals and refreshments that are deemed essential and/or critical to the UW Tacoma mission are allowed.
UWT Procurement Services has discontinued the use of the Food Approval Portal and will move forward using the Food Approval Form, in alignment with Seattle and Bothell campuses. The form must be completed before meals or light refreshments are served at a University meeting, formal training session, or formal recognition event.
The daily meal per diem rate limit is a per-person allowance covering the basic cost of meal, sales tax, and tip/gratuity.
The current per diem rate for Tacoma is:
- Breakfast: $22.36
- Lunch: $24.94
- Dinner: $38.70
For more detailed information on how to determine the current meal per diem rate, please visit Travel Services.
Policy and Applicability
University and Washington State policies allow for the purchase of meals and light refreshments for employees, students and official guests under certain criteria, including the source of funds and purpose of the event. This guidance is provided to ensure that all food expenses charged to the University are allowable and appropriate for the funding source.
Many UW funding sources are not approved or have restrictions for food, beverage, or alcohol purchases. Review the provided resources to ensure that all expenses charged to the University are allowable and appropriate for the funding source. Food approval flags from legacy systems are no longer valid for Workday Finance processing.
Departments should obtain approval to serve meals or light refreshments at a University meeting, formal training session, or formal recognition event by completing the UW Tacoma Food Approval Form. Approval must be received prior to the purchase of food.
Gifts
Food purchases must align with the donor's intent. Gifts are determined to be eligible for food purchases at the time of their establishment. To confirm whether a gift is food-approved, please reference the fund indicators on Tandem. Discretionary Gifts (RS100203 or RS100376) permit food purchases regardless of Tandem indicator. For additional information and support, contact University Advancement Gift Services.
Grants
Food purchases must align with the sponsor's terms and conditions and be reflected in the proposal budget. Additional resources and guidance on appropriate documentation is available on Post Award Fiscal Compliance's website. For additional information and support, contact Post Award Fiscal Compliance.
Additional Guidance
In addition to purchasing policies and procedures, be sure to check the Use of University Facilities Serving Food on Campus page for additional event guidance, including when a temporary food permit may be required.