What This Service Is
Hardware Purchasing is how Bowdoin buys computers, monitors, peripherals, and other technology equipment. IT is the College's central buyer for computing hardware, which keeps equipment on the same standards, gets better pricing through vendor agreements, and makes sure new equipment works on the Bowdoin network. You can ask for a quote to compare options, or ask us to place a purchase when you already know what you need.
All technology hardware goes through IT. College policy requires computing equipment bought with College money to be purchased by IT, no matter how it is paid for, including department funds, a College credit card, gifts, and grants.
Who It's For
Faculty, staff, and departments buying equipment for College work, research, or teaching, using their own funds or their department's funds. If you need equipment but do not have funds set aside for it, a different path applies. See the callout below and the "Not What You're Looking For?" section.
Which path is right? If you have the funds (yours or your department's), use this service. If you do not have funds and the item is for one person and costs under $2,000, use a Computer Allocation Process request. If you do not have funds and the item costs $5,000 or more, or it is for more than one person, request it through the Technology Budget Request when next year's budgets are being built, around October to December.
How to Get Started / Get Help
This service has two requests, for when you have the funds to make the purchase.
- Want pricing and options before you decide? Use Request a Hardware Quote.
- Know what you need, or already have a quote? Use Request a Hardware Purchase.
Not What You're Looking For?
If your need is listed below, use the linked service or article instead:
- Are you due for your regular computer replacement, or do you need an individual-use item under $2,000 that you do not have funds for? Those go through the annual Computer Allocation Process. See Computing Allocation Process (CAP) in the Related Services section, or Computer Purchase and Support in the Related Articles section.
- Do you need equipment you do not have funds for that costs $2,000 or more, or that is for more than one person? Request it through the Technology Budget Request in the Related Services section when next year's budgets are being built, around October to December.
- Is a device you already have broken, or do you need it repaired? Use the device support request rather than buying a replacement.
- Are you buying software or a subscription, with no new hardware? Use Software Purchasing in the Related Services section.
- Do you need routine supplies such as toner, paper, or cables? Order those through your department's usual vendor in Workday. IT does not purchase consumable supplies.
Service Promise
We acknowledge purchase and quote requests within 2-3 business day2. A purchase is scheduled work rather than a fixed-clock ticket, so we confirm a target date with you after we review the request. Delivery times depend on the vendor and on stock, and non-standard or specialized equipment can take longer. If it turns out you do not have funds for the purchase, we will point you to the right path, either a Computer Allocation Process request or the Technology Budget Request. 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.