Newsletter............................................. September 2024

https://procurement.tennessee.edu/

2024 Vendor Fair

The UT System Office of Procurement Services invites you to attend the

2024 University of Tennessee Promotional Items Vendor Expo.

September 11th, 2024

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

UT Knoxville Student Union, Room 362

The Promotional Items Vendor Expo provides an opportunity to interact with UT’s contracted vendors who provide high quality promotional items. All seven contracted promotional vendors and University Printing will be on hand with samples of their products and FREE promotional items! They look forward to learning about your promotional items needs.

Additionally, you may chat with a representative from UT Procurement Services to learn about an exciting new supplier initiative.

If you would like to skip the registration line when you arrive, please click here to let us know you plan to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Logan Hurt at lhurt2@utk.edu

To access these new agreements click here:

Purchasing Agreements

Check Out Our New Catering Agreements!

B&G Catering PO # 5500010523
Bloomin Brands (Carrabba's, Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill) PO# 5500010481
Brown Bag PO # 5500010465
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken PO# 5500010451
Ham 'N Goodys PO# 5500010467
Taziki's Mediterranean Grill PO# 5500010464
DosBros PO# 5500010466

Staff Spotlight

I’m a native Tennessean and after I obtained my bachelor’s degree from UT, I worked in banking for 18 years, primarily in commercial lending. I began working in higher education in 2018 and joined Procurement Services as a contract specialist in 2022.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, hiking, reading, watching movies, and traveling.

Heather Reagan, Contract Specialist

Revised Contracts:

Cumberland House Hotel Knoxville

Hilton Knoxville

Marriott Downtown Knoxville

Revised Hotel Agreements

Several of our local hotel contracts have been revised to update and clarify attrition language. Before booking a hotel, always read the contract thoroughly and make sure you understand the cancellation and attrition policies so you can avoid unnecessary costs.

Contract Review Timeline

The contract offices around the system review and process approximately 8,000 contracts each year. Because of this high volume, it is important to allow plenty of time for your contract to be properly reviewed.

Be aware that at any given time a contract specialist may be working on 30+ contracts. Please plan accordingly and submit your contract 4-8 weeks* before the anticipated start date.

*Complicated transactions can require even more lead time.

American Paper & Twine Update

As of July 29th the order cutoff time moved from 5:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Delivery Policy Quick Facts:

Orders must be placed by 4:00pm for processing on the next scheduled delivery day.
Timely processing requires product availability confirmation.
Any orders after 4:00pm will move to the next business day's schedule.
AP&T's regular business days are Monday through Friday (holidays excluded).

A Closer Look at UT's Supplier Diversity Initiatives:

Why? Part 2

by Karen Binkley, Small Business Liaison

In our last newsletter, we kicked off a series of topics to help you better understand UT's supplier diversity initiatives. In "Why? Part 1," we explored what state statute requires us to do.

There are many reasons that we want to promote small business initiatives: job creation, economic development, innovation, flexibility, and supply chain resiliency. Check out the U.S. Small Business Administration's annual small business profiles to learn about the impact of Tennessee small businesses.

Did you know you can view the SBA profiles, State of Tennessee annual diversity business reports, and other resources in the "Resources for University Employees" section of our small business program webpage? Check it out here.

TEASER: UT Procurement has a great new tool to support our small business initiatives. Watch for the "reveal" next month!

To view previous newsletters, visit procurement.tennessee.edu/employee-newsletter.