UCSB’s FlexCard is a Visa procurement card issued by U.S. Bank to UCSB employees who have authority to buy goods and services on behalf of their departments. The FlexCard is issued to an individual, not to a department, and the card and account number cannot be used by anyone other than the Cardholder. Payment liability rests with the University, not the Cardholder.

The FlexCard is used for low value purchasing and current commodity restrictions apply. Typical purchases include:

• Items available on university supply agreements, including campus agreements and Strategic Sourcing agreements
• Low value office supply purchases not available through Central Stores
• Photocopying and printing services
• Published materials, including periodicals and subscriptions
• Non-inventorial computer and office equipment items
• Non-inventorial scientific and laboratory equipment
• Services such as bottled water and temporary employment

Full information on commodities that can and cannot be purchased with the card can be found on the FlexCard Commodities lists.

Utilizing the FlexCard instead of purchase orders can simplify buying and paying for most routine goods and services and help reduce administrative costs and speed payments to merchants.

The FlexCard cannot be used for personal purchases and will not provide cash advances. It does not replace the US Bank Corporate Travel Card and cannot be used to charge travel or entertainment expenses.

FlexCard Benefits

• Can be used with all merchants that accept the Visa card
• Internet purchases can be made without the need to use a personal credit card
• No delays on orders requiring pre-payment (i.e., merchants that do not accept purchase orders or low value numbers)
• Merchant paid almost immediately (no invoices sent to Accounting, no paper checks issued)
• Reduces the need to use petty cash and/or employee reimbursements for miscellaneous purchases
• Transactions are automatically recorded in the FlexCard system and allocated electronically by the department to the appropriate account-fund-sub

Special Features

• Variable maximum per transaction limit (including tax):
  • Up to $2,500: all Cardholders
  • Up to $5,000: Cardholders who attended Purchasing 101
• Variable maximum monthly limit, as determined by department purchasing needs
• Built-in controls that prohibit restricted purchases
• Fraudulent transactions and merchant disputes may be resolved by working with US Bank, if disputed within 60 days
• Easy-to-use queries and transaction summaries available through US Bank Access On-Line and UCSB FlexCard system

If you have any questions about the FlexCard, contact Vaughn Boyle, FlexCard Administrator, at x7377, Lisa Klock, FlexCard Coordinator, at x4073, or email us at FlexCard@purc.ucsb.edu.

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