Airgas, has declared a force majeure on helium shipments due to production suspensions resulting from the Iran war. Healthcare and other industries will be prioritized. Procurement is meeting w/Airgas this coming week to understand the allocations we will face under the force majeure. All helium orders will be reviewed by Airgas before processing to ensure our allocation will meet the demand. Reach out to Procurement’s Research Team for more information (https://procurement.uconn.edu/ubs-staff-directory-2/#staffpurc).
New Campus-wide Print Solution
The University is implementing a campus-wide print solution to improve the simplicity and security of print release functionality.
As part of this initiative, UConn is working toward a standardized fleet of print equipment. This will allow for more consistent and efficient support and help reduce long-term costs for departments by centralizing purchasing and maintenance.
Submit a printer purchase request: s.uconn.edu/newprinterrequest
For more information about UConn’s UPrint program: kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/26928676873/UPrint
FY27 Blanket Orders and Requisitions
HuskyBuy, on February 9 will be ready for submission of new requisitions and blanket PO requests for FY27. These orders will be released on the last day of the Fiscal Year, Tuesday, 6/30. For Blanket Orders you can create a new requisition by navigating to the HuskyBuy shopping home page and select the Non-Catalog Blanket Order form.
Please be cognizant of lead times for the procurement of various goods and services. Software and cloud services renewals typically require IT Security review and may contain terms and conditions that will take the University some time to negotiate with the Supplier. We highly recommend these renewals be quoted and submitted ASAP.
Please also be aware, it is important to decide upfront if you will need quantity or non-quantity, specifically in regard to invoicing. If you know ahead of time you will have multiple invoices to pay against your PO, you should make sure to setup your PO as one of the following:
- Blanket Order (All Blanket Orders are considered non-quantity by default)
- Non Quantity
- Quantity order with enough quantities listed to cover the number of invoices posted and funds to cover the costs
- When in doubt about having multiple invoices make sure to use non-quantity
Reminder:
- A reminder regarding this process will be sent in March and will include any new updates, such as other end of year 2026 fiscal deadlines that may impact procurement activities
Important Resources:
University Stationery Announcement
As of December 31, 2025, the AlphaGraphics contract has expired. Please complete this form https://uconnucomm.wufoo.com/forms/stationery-request-form to process University stationery. If you have any further questions reach out to Christine Vasington christine.vasington@uconn.edu.
HuskyBuy Contracts+
We’re excited to announce that Contracts+ is now available for use. Contracts+ is a dramatically improved contracting module which will improve operational efficiency within the Procurement department and provide much greater contract visibility to the University community.
What’s New for You:
- Real-time contract status visibility: University stakeholders can now view the status of contract requests that are in process and all active contracts
- Enhanced search features and reporting tools: University stakeholders can use Contracts+ to help manage their procurement needs by leveraging the use of active vendors and existing contracts. This will save money by better leveraging university spend and save time by avoiding duplicative work
- Automated reminders of key actions needed: University stakeholders can now receive automatic reminders of key contract actions required (e.g., notification of the upcoming expiration of a contract, insurance document renewals required, etc.)
Annual Prequalification for General Contractors
General Contractors interested in working with the University are invited to check out our current prequalification solicitation (APGC2025) for projects valued over $1 Million. Information about this solicitation can be found at https://cpfp.procurement.uconn.edu/construction-current-opportunities-2020-2/. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 10:00AM via Microsoft Teams. Access to the meeting can be requested by emailing the procurement agent directly.
HR Workflow Approval for Temporary Employment
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 HuskyBuy transactions (including requisitions and purchase orders) 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.
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.