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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

Purchasing

New W-9 Form Required - Effective June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024

A new version of the IRS Form W-9 is available and required with supplier registration requests, effective June 1, 2024.

Procurement and Payment Services' Move

June 1, 2024

Procurement and Payment Services moved to 1800 Sherman, 6-600, Evanston, IL 60208. Corporate cards and in rare instances when checks need to be held for pick up will be available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30am to 4:00pm at 1800 Sherman, 6-600.

Learning and Training
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

For Research Participants: Tango Gift Card Program

December 19, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
PPS recently worked with Depository Services on a RFP to establish a new gift card program and stored value card program, to support the payment of research participants.
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

Amazon Prime Reminders

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Northwestern has an Amazon Business Prime account that users can access through iBuyNU.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

Amazon Purchases of Computers

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Northwestern acquires business-grade machines from trusted suppliers like Dell or Lenovo/CDWG, ensuring higher quality and superior warranties.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

CDWG Return Policy

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
CDWG’s return policy requires that returns be initiated within 30 days of receipt of the product.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing, Policy Updates

Computer Hardware Standards

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
As a reminder, our computer hardware contracts with Dell and Lenovo (through CDWG) in iBuyNU are designed for Northwestern to receive the best discounts on our established configuration standards.
Travel, Purchasing

Dell Return Policy

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Dell has recently started to strictly enforce their return policy. Dell is no longer offering exceptions to their policy, which can be found on the Dell website.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing, Policy Updates
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Travel, Purchasing

Introducing a New Platform for iBuyNU

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
The current platform supporting iBuyNU is being discontinued by the vendor and we have diligently explored alternatives for our eProcurement system.
Vendor Contracts, Purchasing

New W-9 Form

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
There are a couple of things that you can do to help speed up processing of your supplier registration requests.
Policy Updates, Administrative and Operations

Tax Exemption to Vendors

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
When a department or school is making a purchase from a supplier, they may ask for Northwestern's tax exemption certificate.
Purchasing, Policy Updates, Learning and Training

Travel and Entertainment Policy

April 11, 2024
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
We are pleased to inform you of recent updates to the University's Travel and Entertainment (T&E) Policy.
Travel, Policy Updates
Travel, Purchasing

New Enterprise Car Rental Agreement

December 7, 2023
From Dollars & Sense Newsletter
Northwestern is part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) car rental contract with Enterprise.
Travel, Vendor Contracts, Purchasing
Purchasing, Policy Updates, Administrative and Operations
Travel, Learning and Training, Administrative and Operations
Learning and Training
Administrative and Operations