HePS has the capability for electronic approvals.  While electronic approvals are an optional feature and not required, it is a good idea to establish and use electronic approvals  in accordance with your procurement process.  Approval routes must be established by your system administrator upon request by the administrator/supervsior of your division/branch. SPO will provide assistance.  Should a department/division/branch need assistance, please contact Mara Smith at the SPO.

Approvals can be established at two points, either prior to issuing:

• a solicitation; or
• an award.

The buyer may have more than one approver in succession (Approver A approves, then Approver B approves.)

When a buyer has an approval route the following occurs:

• Buyer completes the solicitation and selects the submit button. 
• Instead of being placed on the internet, the solicitation is placed in a holding pattern
• HePS sends an e-mail with a link to the approver.
  
• When the approver opens the e-mail and selects the link, the approver is logged in to his/her account.  The approver will see all solicitations waiting for approval. 
• When the approver selects a solicitation, the approver may review and then either approve or disapprove the solicitation.
• If approved, the solicitation is either:
  
  • released to the internet or
  • the next approver, if there is one, will get an e-mail.  The buyer will also get an e-mail. advising that the solicitation has been approved by Approver A.
• If disapproved, the approver must enter a reason.  After submitting, HePS sends the buyer an e-mail advising the buyer that it has been disapproved. 
• The buyer may then log in and review the disapproved solicitation, edit it as appropriate and resubmit.  The solicitation will go through the approval process again.

See also How are approval routes established in HePS?

Is there a way I can tell if I have an approver or if I am responsible for approving?

Yes. When you log in to HePS, select the Miscellaneous tab and then the Session Info sub-tab.  Scroll down a little and if you have any approval routes they will be displayed. 

If you are an approver, those responsibilities are also displayed.

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