Training is available right at your desktop!  All classes are held online via WebEx online conferencing.

Sourcing & Procurement offers personal instruction in the use of Boston University’s Pcard and it’s upgraded reconciliation (SAM) application as well as a review of the current policies and procedures.

Although the deadline for PCard training is Thursday, 12/17/09, you are encouraged to sign up now. Those who do not complete their training will lose their PCard privileges. Training classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Please us this link Boston University WebEX to sign up for classes. Please note: Meeting password is Bos1ton for all cardholders and users.

*Please note that a WebEx Meeting Manager plug-in is needed. Please go to:Boston University WebEX for more information. If you cannot install the plug-in, please consult your local IT administrator.

The Boston University Moving Services Commodity Council in collaboration with Sourcing & Procurement has completed a competitive sourcing initiative to identify preferred moving companies. As a result of the initiative, we are proud to recommend the following companies:

General moves:  Paul W. Taylor Moving & Storage
Complex & union moves: Walsh Movers
Rigging/heavy equipment required: Toupin Rigging

In the instances where your move requires special planning, service or equipment, please contact Lucas Dean (617-353-8752) or Bob Simboli (617-353-8753) for further information.

The Request for Information (RFI) was issued to formally qualify companies who provide union and non-union moving services for offices, laboratories, rigging and storage. The objectives were to consolidate the supplier base, identify and adopt industry best practices, create service level agreements and to leverage spend.  Fourteen moving companies were invited to complete a comprehensive questionnaire based on the Commodity Council’s requirements for execution, communication skills, procedures, project management, preparation, training, storage availability, pricing, response time, damage claims, references and compliance with federal and state requirements.

Boston University Dining Services has saved 11.3% compared to the market for to-go containers, utensils, napkins and other disposable products by going out to bid the last two years. Successful price reduction has been reached by leveraging Boston University’s total spend on the commodity. The competitive bid for fiscal year 2010 has been awarded to the Mansfield Paper Company, who offered the most competitive pricing and is a leader in sourcing environmentally preferable products. For more on how you can leverage your spend, please contact the sourcing manager for your commodity. Dining Services spends hundreds of thousands of dollars every year on dining disposables. Dining Services can serve over 30,000 meals a day in our dining halls and caters over 4,000 events in a year. It also services retail locations in the George Sherman Union, classroom buildings and storefronts in residence halls. To explore all the locations, visit Boston University Maps. Dining Services awarded the disposables business this year with the emphasis on compostable products. Dining Services has already converted 75% of “grab ‘n go products” to compostable containers. All paper napkins are made of recycled and/or compostable material. Utensils (except soup spoons) are also compostable. Mansfield Paper compliments Boston University’s commitment to environmentally preferred products by selling items that are biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. It stocks cups, containers, cutlery and cleaners made from corn, potatoes and even bamboo. These materials are formed into products that mimic the qualities of paper and plastic, which makes them ideal for hot or cold and liquid or solid foods. For more on Mansfield Paper’s environmental program, click here.

BU Sourcing & Procurement, together with Apple, are excited to offer all faculty and staff a very special opportunity to switch their BU computer from a PC to a Mac.  If you are considering updating your business computer with one that is capable of running both Windows and Mac operating systems, Apple will give you a one-time discount of 15% off BU’s already discounted educational price. 

HURRY NOW as this “Switcher” offer is only good until September 15^th, 2009. 

To place your “Switcher” order, please go to the Apple page on BU Sourcing & Procurement’s website. 

Please reference sales exception number 158913 on your order.

The four models to choose from in the program are as follows:

 

13” MacBook Pro

2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

160GB Hard Drive / 2GB RAM

SuperDrive

Part Number:  MB990LL/A

Education Price:  $1099

BU Switcher Price:  $934.15

 

20” iMac

2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

320GB Hard Drive / 2GB RAM

SuperDrive

Part Number:  MB417LL/A

Education Price:  $1,149

BU Switcher Price:  $976.65

 

15” MacBook Pro

2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

250GB Hard Drive / 4GB RAM

SuperDrive

Part Number:  MC118LL/A

Education Price:  $1,599

BU Switcher Price:  $1,359.15

 

15” MacBook Pro

2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

320GB Hard Drive / 4GB RAM

SuperDrive

Part Number:  MB985LL/A

Education Price:  $1,849

BU Switcher Price:  $1,571.65

Looking for an alternative way to reduce cost for laboratory equipment acquisitions?

You may want to consider certified pre-owned equipment.

The projected savings when purchasing refurbished laboratory equipment versus new is between 30% – 60% depending on the age, technology and complexity of the equipment.

Pricing agreements have been established with Biodirect and Cambridge Scientific to help you stretch your budget. The contracts include extended warranty periods (150 –180 days) and offer additional discount incentives that range between 3% – 10% based on the total dollar purchase amount.

Both companies accept trade-ins and buy surplus equipment.

Biodirect Contact: Richard Tula – 508-884-5010 / email:Rtula@Biodirectusa.com

Website: Biodirect

Cambridge Scientific Contact: Barbara Pearlman – 617-354-8900 / email Barbara@CambridgeScientific.com

Website:Cambridge Scientific

Please contact Bob Simboli at 617-353-8753 or email:rsimboli@bu.edu for further details.

Secure Flight is a behind-the-scenes process used by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) to screen passengers against U.S. government watch lists prior to ticketing. Secure Flight is a separate program from current TSA security checkpoint procedures at airports.

The TSA Secure Flight program applies to all airline passengers, regardless of nationality or citizenship. The TSA Secure Flight Program should have no impact on most travelers. In fact, it can improve the travel experience for travelers who have been misidentified in the past.

As an added service to Boston University, BCD Travel will begin collecting and transmitting data on our behalf to airline carriers on August 15.

To expedite this process, BCD agents will ask BU travelers for required Secure Flight Passenger Data at the time of booking. Information collected will include reconfirming government-issued names, as well as gender and date of birth. By collecting this information at the time of booking, passengers are relieved from having to provide this information when printing boarding passes, or at a carrier kiosk at the airport.

BCD Travel continuously works to improve the travel experience for Boston University. Please contact Sarah Moon, Boston University’s Travel Manager, for further information at 353-5836.

When the recycling pilot program began on the Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) in February, supplier “Save That Stuff” collected 6.4 tons of paper, bottles, and cans in the first month. For the month ending June 30, that number increased 113% to 13.7 tons!

In the five months since the program began, efforts by the BUMC Sustainability Committee, Facilities Management & Planning, Save That Stuff and the conscientious BUMC community have resulted in saving 560 trees, 412 cubic yards of landfill space, 95,364 kilowatts of electricity or 217 barrels of oil.  Boston University’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 59.41 metric tons of carbon equivalent, which is equal to removing 48 cars from the roadway each year.

A pilot program at BUMC was rolled out building by building, floor by floor and department by department to determine the best locations for recycling bins based on accessibility, visibility, and traffic.  While the role out is almost complete, additional bins can be obtained or collections scheduled by contacting BUMC Facilities Management Control at 617-638-4144.

Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Did you know that Office Depot can collaborate with your department to reduce your office supply spend? One department was able to save 48% on copier paper by switching to Office Depot Recycled EnviroCopy paper!

The process is simple. Your dedicated account representative, Michael Khoury, can analyze your office supply purchases and identify specific areas where you may be able to save money. Past recommendations have included switching to Office Depot brand remanufactured toner cartridges, buying supplies in larger quantities, or switching your paper purchases to Office Depot Recycled EnviroCopy paper.

Several departments on campus have already experienced success and reduced their monthly spend. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Michael Khoury at 353-2371 or by email at Michael.Khoury@OfficeDepot.com.

It is now easier than ever to purchase green office supplies from Office Depot’s Business Solutions Division (BSD) website. “Your Greener Office” is your portal to 6,500 green items, from paper to furniture to cleaning products. You can search and sort for specific items or brands, which are available for next-day desktop delivery at Boston University contracted prices.

Office Depot also publishes The Green Book, a printed catalog that lists over 2,000 of the greenest items Office Depot has to offer. An interactive version of the printed publication is available online. You can peruse the interactive online catalog for products and add the items directly to your shopping cart.

“Your Greener Office” and The Green Book can be accessed from the Bulletin Board on Office Depot’s BSD website, https://bsd.officedepot.com/. You will need your Office Depot username and password to login. If you do not have one and would like access to online ordering, please contact our account representative Michael Khoury at 353-2371.

GovConnection is Boston University’s contracted supplier for computer peripherals and IT supplies. Their selection includes over 150,000 products from more than 1,400 premier brands, all available for desktop delivery. A national distribution network allows them to ship most items on the day of your order. GovConnection also offers free assistance with product selection and item recommendations.

To begin shopping, please visit the GovConnection website specially designed for the University at www.GovConnection.com/bu. After a quick sign-up process, you will have access to the entire catalog and special Boston University pricing. Purchases can be made using an executed purchase order or your PCard for orders less than $1,000. Please note that all orders must be placed online at Boston University’s GovConnection website and should not be emailed or faxed.

Our account representative, Amy Wilber, is available to assist you by phone at 800-800-0019, extension 33479 or by email at awilber@govconnection.com.