Part 4: Informal Procurement Methods

Part 4 in the Procurement Guidance Series online training.

Course Description

This online training describes the two informal procurement methods—the micropurchase method, and the simplified acquisition (formerly small purchase) method. Additionally, the training describes when each method is appropriate, the thresholds for each method, applicable state laws they may need to follow, and how to properly procure goods and services using these methods.

Course Number: 679
Training Length: 45 minutes
Certificate: Yes
Target Audience: School business officials and food service staff
Mandatory: No
Cost: Free
Date Recorded: September 2022

Online Course

Begin the Part 4: Informal Procurement Methods course.

Referenced Resources

The following resources are referred to throughout this online course:

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 2 CFR web page
Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 2 web page
California Legislative Information Public Contract Code web page
Institute of Child Nutrition Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) web page
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Procuring Local Food web page
California Department of Education (CDE) Procurement in CNPs web page
CDE CNPs Course Catalog web page

Crediting

Crediting: 0.75 hours
Key Area: Operations (2000)
- Training Topic: Purchasing (2400)
  - Learning Objective: Purchasing food, supplies, and equipment through vendors (2430)

Contact Us

If you have technical difficulties, please contact the Nutrition Services Division Procurement Resources Unit by email at NSDProcurementReview@cde.ca.gov .

Questions: Procurement Resources Unit | NSDProcurementReview@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609

Last Reviewed: Friday, October 31, 2025

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