To ensure proper oversight and compliance with University policies, state regulations, and collective bargaining agreements, Human Resources will now be involved in the approval process for contracts with temporary staffing agencies. This collaboration will ensure that temporary staffing agencies are utilized appropriately and is being implemented to mitigate risk. For further information, please contact the HR Workforce Solutions team at workforce@uconn.edu.
News
Important Update General Letter 71 Sourcing Exemptions End 7/1/25
As shared in our FY26 orders announcement in March, the State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services has confirmed that General Letter 71 will be substantially revised, and its sourcing exemptions will no longer apply as of July 1.
Previously, General Letter 71 allowed state agencies—including the University—to bypass competitive bidding for certain purchases, such as software renewals and hotel/event venues. These exemptions enabled Procurement to assist departments in acquiring specific goods and services more quickly.
Effective July 1, 2025:
- General Letter 71 will no longer be a valid sourcing option.
- It will be removed from all HuskyBuy forms.
- Departments must follow standard sourcing guidelines and thresholds for all purchases.
- Please see announcement where the bid thresholds were increased on 10/1/2023, as these general increases should help mitigate some concerns. Additionally, please refer to our Introduction to Purchasing guide for further information on sourcing practices.
Procurement is working on new policies to help streamline certain purchases. In the meantime, departments are encouraged to:
- Review current sourcing requirements.
- Contact the appropriate Category Manager to explore alternative sourcing strategies.
If you have questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Procurement.
Staples on HuskyBuy!
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is excited to announce that Staples will be joining our team of office supply vendors!
Staples will provide UConn with competitive pricing, exceptional customer service, and fast & free delivery on all of their office supply products. Take advantage of their product offerings through their on-line catalog, which is anticipated to go live in HuskyBuy on Monday February 24, 2025.
International Shipping
With the expansion of international activities and research projects at the University, Procurement, Export Control, and Tax and Compliance have noted increased concerns from departments regarding international shipping, such as customs-related delays.
Here are some helpful reminders and considerations for international shipping:
- Shippers/Shipping Suppliers
- FedEx/UPS: FedEx/UPS: Accounts Payable manages the billing and payment of shipping providers like UPS and FedEx. You can find instructions to set up an account with FedEx/UPS and manage billing through Accounts Payable here.
- Nippon Express: Departments can utilize Nippon Express as a customs broker, to handle all necessary documentation and ensure smooth customs clearance for international shipments. They also provide specialized handling for hazardous and sensitive items in consideration of international regulations.
- Shipping Considerations
- Is the item hazardous/dangerous?
- Does the item require any specific licenses?
- Have I completed all customs documentation accurately? Missing or incorrect information can lead to significant delays
- Am I aware of the destination country’s regulations regarding restricted or prohibited items? Shipping restricted goods can result in delays, fines, or the return of the shipment.
HuskyBuy Support Documentation Moves to UConn Knowledge Base
We would like to announce that all HuskyBuy job aids have moved to the UConn Knowledge Base, effective immediately. These helpful instructions can now be found here: https://kb.uconn.edu/space/FPB/26666663970/HuskyBuy. If you have previously saved a bookmark/favorite in your internet browser, you will need to update that with this new knowledge base link.
Additionally, we are working to create video walk throughs for several processes, starting with the Supplier registration process.
For further information please contact huskybuysupport@uconn.edu.
Hotel & Events Services Form Request
By Popular Demand, Procurement Services introduces the new Hotel & Event Services request form!
Did you know that you can use your Travel Card for purchases such as hotel room blocks and catering for events? To provide the University community with guidance and a method of managing requests pertaining to hotel and event services that are being paid via a Travel Card and require a document to be signed, a new form is available in HuskyBuy on the Home Shopping Page under Internal Request Forms. Continue reading
Bid Threshold Increase Reminder
As a reminder, our Bid Threshold has increased. With that, a few things to remember. When completing our non-catalog requisition forms, you will notice there are more Sourcing Dollar Threshold selections to choose from. Please pay close attention to the selection that best suits your requirements.
Changes were implemented on October 1, 2023.
For more details read the full announcement.
Announcing Bid Threshold Increases and Prequalification Process Changes
University Business Services has worked with Government Relations and other state entities including UConn Health, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, and the Department of Administrative Services, to propose Bill SB1184 to increase to the State of Connecticut’s public bid thresholds and simplify the prequalification process for construction contractors.
Changes will be implemented on October 1, 2023.
For more details read the full announcement.