Commodity Codes are numeric codes used in Rensselaer’s On-line Shopping Cart at Rensselaer (OSCAR) eProcurement System to identify and categorize the type of item or service being purchased.
Each commodity code has an associated Commodity Code Description which is defined in the spreadsheet here. Commodity Codes are grouped into “Sub Categories” that roll up into the 22 “Categories“. The Categories and Sub Categories are available to assist Rensselaer’s OSCAR users in selecting the appropriate Commodity Code for purchases.
One Commodity Code must be selected for each requisition, purchase order, and invoice document in OSCAR. The selected Commodity Code on a requisition determines which Strategic Sourcing Manager (SSM) or Sourcing Agent in Procurement Services will process the request. Each Commodity Code is assigned to an SSM in OSCAR. Procurement Services uses Commodity Code data to analyze Institute and supplier spend in order to identify master agreement opportunities and compliance with existing agreements.