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News and Announcements

Catch up on procurement-related news, including featured stories from our Dollars & Sense newsletter, current updates related to our Preferred Vendors and upcoming events.

You can also view our Dollars & Sense Newsletter Archive to read past articles.

Recent News and Announcements

Customer Service Portal

March 12, 2026
Procurement and Payment Services has embraced the new SaaS Team Dynamix to enhance the customer service experience. To improve the quality and efficiency of the customer service process we now have two options to submit tickets and inquiries within Team Dynamix.
Policy Updates
Purchasing

Accounts Payable Best Practices

March 12, 2026
It is always important to refresh the Northwestern University community on our Accounts Payable best practices. We want to outline important reminders and best practices relating to NUQuickPay, Customer Service and ER Attachments, and Accounts Payable invoice related email clarifications.
Policy Updates

Enhanced Website Now Live

March 12, 2026
We are excited to invite you to explore the recently enhanced Procurement and Payment Services website. Learn more about this expansive and far-reaching project.

Tariff Refund Guidance

March 12, 2026
The United States Supreme Court recently invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. PPS is monitoring the situation and working closely with our key customs clearance and export controls service partners for further information. We understand that this situation is still evolving and we will remain diligent on any updates.
Vendor Contracts

Guy Brown Delivery Improvements

March 12, 2026
Guy Brown has implemented a new distribution process to address recent delivery issues across our Evanston campus. To improve service, your delivery experience is now handled by the Guy Brown Care Team.
Vendor Contracts

PPS Staffing Updates

March 12, 2026
Finding the best talent for our Northwestern team is key to PPS’s place within the university. We have recently made key changes to management. These new members have already hit the ground running and are central to PPS and its future contributions.
Administrative and Operations
Purchasing

Winter Recess Coverage

December 1, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Northwestern University will observe a Winter Recess beginning December 24, 2025 through January 1, 2026.
Administrative and Operations

GeoBlue Rebrands as Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Global Solutions

October 22, 2025

GeoBlue, the company that manages our international health insurance and assistance plans for eligible students and employees traveling abroad for university purposes, has changed its name to BCBS Global Solutions. Our coverage and benefits are not impacted by this change, but returning users will notice visual changes in both their App and web portal. See International Health Insurance overview. This plan is not impacted by Northwestern's switch to United Healthcare for domestic coverage.

Travel

Apple Transition to CDWG

July 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
As previously announced, the Preferred Vendor of Apple products is transitioning to CDWG.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

Coming this August - Preferred Vendor and Business & Finance Expo

July 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
We’re excited to announce the return of the Preferred Vendor and Business & Finance Expo, taking place on Tuesday, August 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Norris University Center (2nd Floor) and Pancoe Pavilion.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing, Administrative and Operations
Purchasing, Policy Updates, Learning and Training

Fiscal Year End 2025 Reminders

July 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
As we approach Fiscal Year End (FYE) for 2025, we highlighted some information related to Procurement and Payment Services.
Purchasing, Administrative and Operations

Invoice Procedure Reminders

July 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Invoices for purchase orders placed through iBuyNU are submitted to Northwestern automatically once the items are delivered.
Purchasing, Policy Updates, Learning and Training

Pre-Qualified AV Integration Service Extensions

July 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Northwestern currently has six vendors that are pre-qualified for AV integration projects, and all six vendor agreements were recently extended through April 30, 2028.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Purchasing
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Purchasing

Amazon Business Prime Account Reminders

April 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Northwestern maintains a central Amazon Business Prime account. Individual Prime memberships are not allowed, departments funds cannot be used to pay for these.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

AP Check and Corporate Card Pickup

April 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Checks held for pick up and Corporate Cards are available to pick up from Procurement and Payment Services (PPS) at the following locations and times.
Purchasing
Travel, Purchasing, Policy Updates

Cost Containment Measures

April 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
In alignment with recent leadership’s communications regarding Northwestern’s financial challenges, several cost containment measures have been implemented to ensure responsible stewardship of University resources.
Purchasing, Policy Updates, Administrative and Operations

New Requirement Coming - Expense Supervisor in myHR

April 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
To ensure compliance with expense reimbursement policies, Northwestern will require all employees and their proxies to have an active expense supervisor in myHR beginning October 1, 2025.
Travel, Policy Updates
Purchasing, Policy Updates
Travel, Purchasing, Policy Updates
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Administrative and Operations

Upcoming Apple Transition to CDWG

April 25, 2025
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Purchasing Apple products through CDWG provides greater overall value than purchasing from Apple.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Administrative and Operations

New Shuttle Contract

December 19, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Procurement and Payment Services recently conducted a Request for Proposals to establish a new comprehensive transportation program consisting of shuttles services as well as the student safe ride program.
Travel, Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Travel, Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Purchasing, Policy Updates

Update to Dell Return Policy

December 19, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Dell is now strictly enforcing this return policy, which can be found on the Dell website.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing, Policy Updates

Winter Recess Coverage

December 19, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Northwestern University will observe a Winter Recess beginning December 24, 2024 through January 1, 2025.
Administrative and Operations

AV Integrator Vendor Contracts

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
As a reminder, Procurement and Payment Services maintains a list of six pre-qualified AV integration vendors.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

Business Cards Catalog Now in iBuyNU

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
C2 Imaging, Northwestern University’s new Preferred Vendor for branded standard business cards and stationery, is now live in iBuyNU.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

Outstanding Travel Expenses

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
If a department’s travel expenses have not posted to their chart string accounts, chances are there was a problem with the chart string.
Travel, Purchasing

Fiscal Year End 2024 Reminders

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
As we approach Fiscal Year End for 2024, visit the Fiscal Year End web page for important information, including key dates, resources, and contacts.
Purchasing, Policy Updates, Administrative and Operations

New iBuyNU Platform is Live

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Procurement and Payment Services and NUIT implemented the new platform supporting iBuyNU, effective July 1.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Travel, Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

Office Supplies Contract Update

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Procurement and Payment Services (PPS) recently conducted a formal bid process and selected a new preferred vendor for office supplies.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Travel, Policy Updates, Learning and Training

Trademark & Licensing

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
The University's growth and prominence have led to a surge in demand for products featuring its name, trademarks, and logos, necessitating strict control over their usage through trademark licensing.
Purchasing

Usage of Corporate Card for Foreign Transactions

August 7, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
The OANDA currency conversion calculation sheet should NOT be included as an attachment to the expense report when reconciling corporate card transactions.
Purchasing, Policy Updates