Policy 7:12 – Technology Purchases

Policy Contact: Division of Information Technology

  1. Purpose

    This policy implements SDBOR Policy 7.6 in order to ensure compliance with accessibility and information technology standards adopted by the SDBOR and to take advantage of the opportunity for cost savings and operational efficiencies.

  2. Policy
    1. The University is required to adhere to the standards adopted by the SDBOR and set forth in this policy when implementing and purchasing technology systems, equipment, services, or software.
    2. Purchases of technology equipment, software, and services at the University must be performed by authorized persons appointed by the University President, or designee, in accordance with this policy, as well as SDBOR Policies 7.6 and 5.4 and University Policy 5:1. All technology orders shall be reviewed by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee.
    3. All technology equipment, software, and services contracts or associated agreements, including click-through agreements, must also be reviewed and approved by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee, prior to the purchase.
    4. Digital Accessibility
      1. The Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee shall develop required technical digital accessibility standards for University information technology that are legally compliant with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1976, the Americans with Disabilities Act (DAD), and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA success criteria and Section 508 standards, as amended, or successor standards.
      2. All covered technology equipment, software, and services contracts or associated agreements, including click-through agreements, must meet the developed digital accessibility standards, and agreements for their use must contain vendor certification requirements and clauses. The ADA Coordinator will assist with review of digital products for accessibility standards when a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is not in place.
      3. Training on digital accessibility standards will be managed by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee, and the ADA Coordinator.
      4. Where such conformance with digital accessibility standards is not technically feasible or may require extraordinary measures due to the nature or purpose of the digital content, a request for exception may be submitted to the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee for consideration.
    5. Networking and Security
      1. Purchases related to networking and security systems that have been adopted by the SDBOR as standards may be made in accordance with applicable purchasing policies.
      2. Where a SDBOR standard has not been established for networking equipment or related software, purchases may be made in conformity with this policy as long as the cost is less than $50,000 per item.
    6. Administrative Software
      1. All administrative software, and administrative software systems costing more than $50,000 per year, must be reviewed by appropriate SDBOR councils and technology councils prior to purchase.
    7. Instructional Software and Equipment
      1. All software purchases that supplement or enhance the standardized systems must be reviewed by appropriate SDBOR councils and technology councils prior to purchase.
      2. Software for individual departments or faculty must be reviewed and approved by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee.
      3. Classroom instructional equipment purchased must be compatible with the established network standards and equipment and must be approved by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee.
    8. Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Technology and Software
      1. Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ technology and software bought through grants or through sponsored research must follow the University purchasing approval process and shall be reviewed by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee to ensure the items are compatible with the technology infrastructure.
      2. When grant proposals require new technologies or equipment that is not compatible with the current technology infrastructure, the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO and the researcher will agree on how the research and technology will be supported and, if necessary, how the costs will be covered by the grant.
      3. Final approval of all research technology equipment and software included in grant proposals is delegated to the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee.
         
    9. Individuals at the University who make unapproved technology purchases will not be reimbursed by the University. Individuals may be instructed to discontinue use of technology not meeting statutory, SDBOR, and University standards.
    10. A purchase requisition is required for any technology equipment or software purchase at the University. The requisition shall be processed through SDezbuy with at least one written quote and shall be reviewed and approved by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee and the ADA Coordinator, as appropriate.
    11. Any exceptions to this policy must be made by the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, successor, or designee, in consultation with the SDBOR Chief Information Officer or the System Vice President of Finance and Administration, or their successors.

  3. Responsible Administrator

    The Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, or designee, is responsible for the annual and ad hoc review of this policy and annual review of its procedures. The University President is responsible for approval of this policy.

Approved by President on 09/28/2017. Revised, Approved by President on 01/30/2019. Revised 01/31/2024 (clerical). Revised 08/05/2024 (clerical). Revised, Approved by President on 10/08/2025. Revised; Approved by President on 05/30/2026.

Sources: SDBOR Policies and