University Procurement Services News & Updates

January 2021
Discretionary Spending / Cost-Saving Tips
Cost Savings Tips
Blanket Purchase Orders
• Limit the use of blanket purchase orders to avoid overspending

• Monitor blanket purchase orders for proper purchases and remaining balances
Contract Renewals
• Limit the number of automatic renewal contracts

• Re-negotiate renewal contracts for more favorable terms
How RU Saving?
“We gained staff and faculty support by creating a culture of collective responsibility where everyone agrees they have an important role to play.”

- Nicole McCray, Business Manager,
Rutgers Business School-Newark 
Read how University colleagues are implementing discretionary spending measures within their departments.
RU Marketplace Updates
Exception Request Form
Please note as per the 12/31/20 email communication from University Human Resources, the Exception Request Form (ERF) is no longer to be routed to HR for approval but is to be signed by your unit’s Cabinet Member. 

Please see detailed information provided here.
Strategic Sourcing

Essential Supplies Available on Campus for Immediate Use
In anticipation of faculty, staff, and students potentially returning to campus and the complexities related to the COVID-19 supply chain, University Procurement Services in collaboration with the EOC Procurement Network secured key essential items for the university community. A listing of the items can be found below, and are available for purchase through the RU Marketplace IP&O punch-out catalog.

Please contact your EOC Procurement liaison or their designee if you need to purchase items.

Purchasing through the catalog ensures favorable pricing and safety standards are met.

ES Industries is now PerkinElmer Health Sciences Inc.
ES Industries has been acquired by PerkinElmer Health Sciences Inc. As a result, we have deactivated ES Industries supplier record. If you place orders with ES Industries, you will now need to place with PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc. ( www.esind.com )

Print Services Program (PSP) Coming Soon
Stay tuned for additional details about the program rollout.
Travel and Expense

IRS Issues Standard Mileage Rates For 2021
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2021 standard mileage rate for calculating reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle for business purposes. The Oracle Expense system has been updated per IRS guidance.
 
There is no action required from you. Effective January 1, 2021, the standard mileage rate will be $0.56/mile.