Purchasing announces new contract

he University in partnership with RIT recently announced a new joint office supplies contract with Boise Office Solutions, a business-to-business distributor of office supplies and paper, technology products, and office furniture. Replacing long-time supplier Staples, Boise began taking online, fax, and phone orders January 5.

The decision to offer Boise the contract was based on the result of a rigorous evaluation that showed switching suppliers could yield as much as a million dollars in savings for the University, says Larry Havens, senior purchasing manager for supplies.

"Since our current supplier was doing a very good job of service, the decision was primarily based upon who could deliver equal service with sustainable savings year after year after year. Boise Office Solutions provided the best overall proposal and has demonstrated the ability to deliver the projected savings at similar universities," Havens said in a December 15 memo to the University community.

To facilitate the transition for staff, Purchasing has forwarded current profiles of former StaplesLink users to Boise, which in turn has entered those profiles into its online ordering system and e-mailed new ID numbers and passwords to users.

"Changing suppliers can have a significant impact on many people at the University. The goal is to make this a relatively seamless transition for most users," says Havens.

Staff members who submit orders via fax or phone are encouraged to take advantage of Boise's online ordering system. To register for online access, staff members will need to have their supervisors approve the registration form, which is available online at www.urmc.rochester.edu/purchasing/formsbank.htm. Once the approved registration form is received, Purchasing will update its database and forward the information to Boise.

Purchasing will provide training sessions for department groups or individuals as needed. The sessions will cover the basics of submitting orders, receiving product via desktop delivery, and approving billing. For more information on upcoming training session, visit www.urmc.rochester.edu/purchasing and click on "News," or call Jane Klein at x5-8379.

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