Frequently Asked Questions

What user ID and password should I use to access CSU Marketplace?

Sign on to the CSU Marketplace will be through the following direct link:

Go to http://sciquest.colostate.edu to access.

Use your ename/epassword login the CSU SciQuest Center.

This will give you the question and answer section for information about SciQuest.  You may even add your comments to the answers by using the “posting a comment” button on the upper right hand corner of the Q&A section.  The second tab, located just under the CSU SciQuest Center name, is the SciQuest Application.  This is where you access the SciQuest system.

Save this direct link to your internet favorites to allow for quick access.

What is the CSU Marketplace?

CSU Marketplace is a web-based electronic requisitioning tool with catalogs designed to create purchase requisitions here at Colorado State University. CSU Marketplace allows you to search for products using Punch-out and Hosted Catalogs as well as creating Purchase Requisitions and Check Requests (AFE). This easy-to-use environment lets you streamline your procurement activity to one solution and allows users to take advantage of our preferred suppliers and highlights best buys. Using the CSU Marketplace reduces redundant tasks and maintains data integrity throughout the cycle of procuring goods to increase efficiency, reduce costs and provide total spend visibility across the University. Because of its numerous benefits, CSU Marketplace will become the University's central procure to pay solution.

Who can use CSU Marketplace?

When the rollout is complete, CSU faculty and staff with an active CSU ID number will be able to use CSU Marketplace for institutional purchases. To begin, a large pilot group of users will test the tool and provide recommendations. The departments participating in the pilot have been selected based on largest volume of transactions. When the pilot program is complete, other faculty and staff from across the University will be invited to use the tool. The University business officers will work with the SciQuest team to develop a rollout plan at their college.

Will training be provided for using CSU Marketplace?

Yes. To best suit the needs of the CSU campus, we will offer two training alternatives. You will be able to opt for online training at your desktop or classroom training delivered through the Office of Training and Organizational Development.

How do I get help?

The Help Desk can help with any questions or issues. The Help Desk has been working closely with the CSU Marketplace team to learn the new tool. Should the help Desk not be able to immediately answer your question, they will contact the appropriate person on our project team with the details and we will get back to you promptly.

SciQuest Helpdesk email sciquest@purchasing.colostate.edu

SciQuest Helpdesk at: 970-491-1880

What is the difference between a Hosted catalog and a Punch-out catalog?

In a hosted catalog, the CSU Marketplace has the supplier's catalog maintained within the solution and the suppliers have loaded their part numbers, item descriptions, and prices to create a shopping cart. The shopping cart is then transitioned into a requisition for verification of account numbers, sub codes, and shipping information. With a Punch-out catalog, you may click on the supplier's logo to be directed into their web based catalog search for products. Once you have created a shopping cart in their website, you will checkout of the supplier's website and the cart will be returned to the CSU Marketplace site.

Will I get State or University pricing using CSU Marketplace?

Yes. One of the main benefits of using CSU Marketplace is that CSU has negotiated pricing with our suppliers and will display upon your searches for product special pricing with preferred suppliers will automatically display when you use CSU Marketplace so there is no need to call the vendor to find out pricing. Furthermore, there is no need to even use printed catalogs when using the web site because catalog items are easily accessible online with detailed descriptions provided.

When do I use a Purchasing Requisition Request form?

1. When an item carried by the supplier is not included in the CSU Marketplace Catalog To ensure that these requisitions are processed properly by our suppliers, please observe the following best business practices:

  • Use separate requisitions for your non-catalog requests versus catalog requests.
  • Include an accurate price in the Price Estimate field.
  • Include the catalog number of the product in the Catalog No. field. If catalog number is unavailable, please note "unknown" in this space. Provide an informative description. Be sure to elaborate here if the catalog number is unknown.

Note: Purchase Requisition Request less than $5,000 will go straightto the supplier after all departmental approvals are completed. They will not stop in CSU Purchasing for additional approval.

2. When you have received a special quoted price for an item included in the CSU Marketplace Catalog Using the Purchase Requisition Request form for a special price allows you to enter this special price which will be shown on the PO to the supplier. Attach the quote to the form as an External attachment. Enter the quote number with the product description. (This will print on the PO and be helpful in the event that the attachment gets separated from the PO during the fax transmission to the supplier.)

Does CSU Marketplace provide an accounting commitment?

Yes. Using CSU Marketplace ensures that you always have accurate financial information even prior to placing the order with the supplier. An account approval is needed at any dollar amount. Once the PO is issued it will be batched to FRS that night for an encumbrance.

Can I use split-charging in CSU Marketplace?

Yes. One of the benefits of CSU Marketplace is the ability to charge multiple accounts per order or per line to avoid cost transfers later in the transaction process that create unnecessary work. Users may only split fund at the header level by % of price. If the user requires split funding by amount of price they must do the split fund at the line level

Can I use my ACard to pay for my order?

No.

What are my spending limits in CSU Marketplace?

Requesters in the CSU Marketplace have the ability to create requisitions from online catalogs and prepare purchase requisitions. All requisitions in the CSU Marketplace require a departmental approver before the PO is sent to the supplier for fulfillment. Preferred Suppliers in the online catalogs allow the user to purchase up to $10,000 with only a single department approval.

Why are my CSU Marketplace searches not returning results from all of the suppliers?

There are two different types of catalogs on CSU Marketplace: hosted and punch-out. The CSU Marketplace search function will only return results from hosted catalogs. To search for your item in one of the punch-out catalogs, click on the catalog's icon to link directly to that supplier's catalog. You may then use the supplier's search function to find your item(s).

Why can't I change quantities on some items in my shopping cart?

Some items that are configured on a punch-out supplier's Web site-such as computers and IT supplies-cannot be modified once they are in your CSU Marketplace shopping cart. You must delete the item and start again if you need to change the quantity.

How do I cancel an order?

Call supplier directly to cancel your order, then email or call the SciQuest helpdesk.

SciQuest Helpdesk email sciquest@purchasing.colostate.edu

SciQuest Helpdesk at: 970-491-1880

What is "My Favorites"?

"My Favorites" allows you to create and administer Favorite Folders to:

  • Organize and keep track of all frequently ordered items
  • Attach Favorite Folders to a specific research project or a specific budget/grant assigned to or within the organization
  • Select products from a Favorites folder and move them to a requisition with one click

How do I add items to My Favorites?

After you conduct a search that displays the item you want to add to My Favorites, click on the Select check box at the far right. Then use the drop-down box at the top right of the search results set to select Add To Favorite. A pop-up box will then be displayed showing existing folders in My Favorites. Select the folder you want the item to be added to and then click the Submit button. The item has now been added to the folder you selected under My Favorites.

How do I create a new folder for new items, when I add an item to My Favorites?

The folder must be created under My Favorites before you can items into it from the search results screen. However, you can add the item to one My Favorites folder and then later create a new folder and move the item into it.