Purchasing decision tree

OCA is governed by Chapter 21 of the San Francisco Administrative Code. Before starting a purchase, determine if your transaction falls under Chapter 21 of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

• If yes, go to Question 2.

Are you buying goods or services that are available on an OCA citywide contract, DT contract or your own department’s contract? Review OCA’s current citywide term contracts for commonly purchased goods and services and DT's technology agreements to help you answer this question. 

• If yes, release a PO against the contract (or, where applicable, follow the special instructions for using the contract).
• If no, go to Question 3.

Purchases of professional services, software licenses and online content generally require a contract and cannot be completed using a stand-alone purchase order, regardless of the transaction amount. Departments may, however, ask their City attorney to waive this requirement and allow them to issue a stand-alone purchase order using City's standard purchase order terms and conditions.

1. If yes, go here to learn about issuing a contract. Alternatively, if the purchase is technology-related, you may also be able use one of three options.
2. If no, go to Question 4.

One-time purchases for commodities and general services can be procured using stand-alone purchase orders with City's standard PO terms. If the transaction is $20K or less, City departments are delegated with the authority to issue the purchase order without going through OCA

1. If yes, go here to learn about issuing a one-time Prop Q PO.
2. If no, go to Question 5.

One-time purchases for commodities and general services can be procured using stand-alone purchase orders with City's standard PO terms. If the transaction is greater than $20K, it must go through OCA.

1. If yes, go here to learn more about submitting a requisition to OCA.
2. If no, go to Question 6.