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BearBuy Updates

January 2017

Dear BearBuy Users,
  
We would like to inform you of a few updates and important events coming soon. 
Please review the topics below and follow the links or scroll down for more information on each topic.  
 
This month's BearBuy News:
  1. Partial Sales Tax Rate Changes Effective January 1, 2017
  2. Reminder: Fisher Custom Orders (Form based POs) 
  3. 'Did you know?' Useful BearBuy Tip Reminder
If you have any questions, please contact the BearBuy Help Desk at  
510-664-9000 (options 1,2) or  BearBuyHelp@berkeley.edu for immediate assistance.

Thank you for your continued support, 

UC Berkeley BearBuy Team 
Supply Chain Management
 
As of January 1, 2017 the CA State Board of Equalization decreased the partial sales tax reduction rate. As as a result, the partial sales tax reduction rate decreased by 0.25% to 3.9375%.
  
The exemption reduces the current sales tax rate by 3.9375%, resulting in an effective rate of 5.3125% for research equipment use in biotechnology, physical engineering, and life sciences delivered to Berkeley. The effective rate may change if equipment is delivered to a different city in California.
                
The sales and use tax accrual tables were updated in BFS. No action is needed on your part when placing orders in BearBuy or for invoice payments.
         
As a result of a joint effort between SCM and Accounts Payable, since this legislation was passed in 2014, this partial tax exemption has saved UC Berkeley nearly $1 million.
 
More information can be found on our SCM CA Partial Sales Tax Rate Exemption webpage.
2. Reminder: Fisher Custom Orders (Form Based POs)
 
As a reminder, when purchasing non-standard items from Thermo Fisher it is critical that the correct Supplier Profile is selected when setting up the order in BearBuy. All quotes should have the appropriate Life Fisher supplier name and address on them. Those quotes should be used to place the order for that item with that specific supplier profile. Please note, there are currently 4 active Fisher profiles.
  • Fisher Scientific (0000001996)
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific (0000662386)
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC (0000668852)
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc (0000008514)
     
3. "Did you know?" Useful BearBuy Tip: 
   
  
A: If the supplier has already fulfilled the order and there is only one invoice left against a PO, it is not necessary to change the PO amount. Your department's Match Exception Preparer can review and approve the last invoice applied to a PO.