Software Purchasing

What This Service Is

Software Purchasing is how Bowdoin buys software, applications, and online subscriptions. When you want a product the College does not already provide, or you need more licenses of something we already own, IT handles the purchase for you. Buying through IT keeps the College's data protected, gets better pricing through vendor agreements, and makes sure a new tool works with Bowdoin systems before money is spent.

All software goes through IT. College policy requires every software, app, and online subscription bought with College money to be purchased by IT. This includes AI tools and cloud subscriptions, and it applies no matter how it is paid for, including department funds, a College credit card, gifts, and grants. AI tools and technology subscriptions are not reimbursable, so please request them here rather than buying them yourself.

Who It's For

Faculty, staff, and departments buying software for a course, for research, or for College work. Students do not buy software through this service. If you only need a program you already have access to, many titles install on their own from Self Service on macOS or Company Portal on Windows, and if you need help, use the software install request.

How to Get Started / Get Help

This service has three requests. Before you submit, it is worth checking whether the product is already available.

  • Want pricing before you decide? Use Request a Software Quote.
  • Ready to buy or subscribe to a new software product, app, or online service? Use Request a Software Purchase.
  • Need more seats or a renewal for software IT bought for you or your department, paid for with your own funds? Use Add Licenses to Existing Software.
  • Not sure whether the product is already available? Check the List of College-Provided Software and Programs in the Related Articles section first.

Not What You're Looking For?

If your need is listed below, use the linked service or article instead:

  • Do you just need software you already have access to installed on your computer? Many titles install on their own from Self Service on macOS or Company Portal on Windows. If you need help, use Request Software Install in the Related Services section.
  • Are you buying hardware only, with no new software? Use Hardware Purchasing in the Related Services section.
  • Do you want a product checked for security and accessibility but you are not ready to buy it, or are you evaluating something for the whole College to use? Use Software & Technology Review. A review is part of every new purchase meant for institutional use, so you do not need to file both.
  • Do you need more seats of software IT licenses for the whole College, such as a product licensed centrally for lab courses? That goes through the Technology Budget Request process.
  • Are you a faculty or staff member due for your regular computer replacement? That runs through the annual Computer Allocation Process. See Computer Purchase and Support in the Related Articles section.

Service Promise

We acknowledge purchase requests within 2-3 business days. A purchase is scheduled work rather than a fixed-clock ticket, so we confirm a target date with you after we review the request. Software that is new to Bowdoin and meant for institutional use (shared across a department, a course, or the College) goes through a security and accessibility review first, which usually adds 1 to 2 business weeks, so submit early if you have a deadline or a start-of-term date. A one-off purchase for a single person is usually quicker. Purchases over $500 may need budget planning or a Computer Allocation Process request, and we will tell you if that applies. For questions, contact the Service Desk at (207) 725-3030 or servicedesk@bowdoin.edu.

Provided By

This service is provided by Technical Purchasing within Information Technology, working with the Information Security and Digital Accessibility reviewers when a product is new to Bowdoin.

 
Request a Software Quote Request a Software Purchase Add Licenses to Existing Software Software CAP Request

Related Articles (5)

Computer Purchase and Support
Explains that hardware and software purchased with College or grant funds is the property of Bowdoin and describes the annual Computer Allocation Process (CAP) for requesting computers, peripherals, software, and upgrades, along with related purchasing and support practices. It applies to faculty and staff acquiring College-funded technology.
Data Classification Policy
Classifies all College data into defined access levels and requires that data not be accessed without proper authorization, in order to protect the College's information resources from unauthorized access or damage while supporting legitimate academic use. It applies to all College data and to anyone who accesses or manages it.
List of College-Provided Software and Programs
A reference list of the software and programs Bowdoin College provides to current students, faculty, and staff, including licensing type and whether each title is available for home use. Covers commonly used general and academic software and how it is accessed.
Request a Quote or Purchase of Software
Instructions for faculty and staff to request a quote or purchase of software that is not currently available through Information Technology. Covers using the Service Catalog request form and the budget considerations that may apply for higher-cost or subscription-based software. Applies to Bowdoin faculty and staff.
Technology Purchasing at Bowdoin: Software, Hardware, and Subscriptions
This article explains how technology is purchased at Bowdoin. It covers College policy that all software, hardware, AI tools, and cloud subscriptions must be bought through IT, how to request a software or hardware purchase, how the annual Computer Allocation Process works, and why AI and technology subscriptions are not reimbursable.

Service Offerings (4)

Request a Software Quote
Use this request to get pricing for a software product, app, or online subscription before you commit to buying. For faculty, staff, and departments.
Request a Software Purchase
Use this request to buy or subscribe to a software product, app, or online service that Bowdoin does not already provide. For faculty, staff, and departments. New products meant for institutional use are checked for security and accessibility before purchase.
Add Licenses to Existing Software
Use this request to add licenses or seats to software Bowdoin already owns, or to renew an existing subscription. For faculty, staff, and departments.
CAP Request