REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
Prohibited purchases
In addition to the current expenditure policies outlined in MBP Section 271
and/or restrictions specified in your contract or grant, the following items are
prohibited from being purchased on a PCard:
Air conditioners or space heaters Lab animals
Alcohol (scientific)
1
Lasers
Amazon Prime
2
Medical services or fees
Ammunitions, guns, weapons, explosives Moving companies
Automobile service or repair Motor freight carriers or trucking services
Bus lines, charters, tour buses Personal purchases
Cable, satellite, or internet services
Plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or
structural materials
4
and services
Capital assets (see MBP Sections 19/224)
Carpeting or window treatments Radioactive material
Controlled substances
Security and access (locks, lock changes,
keypads, security systems and services)
Dehumidifers or humidifiers
Deposits or down payments Tier 3 Software
5
Drones Travel of any kind, including: airlines, auto
rentals, cash advances, lodging, meals or per
diem, money orders, parking, taxis, travelers
checks, tolls, trains, wire transfers, visas
Employment agencies/temp services
Freelance/gig workers (e.g. Upwork,
Fiverr)
Two-way radios
Gas cylinders (incl. rentals) Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)
Gasoline or fuel Uncrewed submersible vehicles (USVs)
Gift cards (see MBP Section 44)
Wholesale/retail club discount purchases
and memberships (e.g. CostCo)
Internet auction sites (e.g. eBay)
3
1
Consumable alcohol purchases must adhere to Manual of Business Procedures Section 45.
2
Instead, use your PCard for Amazon Business transactions through Spartan Marketplace.
3
Internet auction site listings with a “buy it now” option are allowed for purchase as long as the purchase aligns with
other MBP and PCard policies.
4
Materials are permissible for documented lab research projects.
5
MSU IT maintains an Approved Software List. Tier 3 software is only allowable for purchase on a PCard if Procurement
has approved an IT Readiness form submitted via a requisition. A PCard Exception Request form is not required. Please
see the IT Procurement process page on the UPL website for additional information.
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