How do I purchase goods and services?
See the Purchasing and Payment Methods Quick Reference Guide (PDF).
By purchasing from UVM's contracted suppliers, you take maximum advantage of UVM's purchasing power and support our ability to negotiate improved pricing and terms in the future. Use of mandated suppliers is required and Purchasing Services strongly encourages the patronage of our preferred suppliers and pricing agreement partners.
UVM’s Contracted Supplier List (Excel) includes pricing agreements, and approved, mandated, and preferred contracts that have been competitively bid by the University of Vermont, the State of Vermont (SOV), or one of our member consortia (EandI, MHEC).
If you don't see what you are looking for or have questions about specific commodities and/or services, please contact the applicable Purchasing and Contracting Specialist who can help you choose a supplier.
Diverse Suppliers and Small Business Enterprises
The University encourages doing business with diverse suppliers and small business enterprises whenever possible. We continue to identify these suppliers and businesses in our supplier files. UVM departments can reach out to Purchasing Services for a recent list of these suppliers already doing business with UVM. The State of Vermont's directory of self-certified minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBE) is also available.
Sustainable Purchasing Initiatives
“Sustainable purchasing” means making decisions about purchases and services based not only on quality and cost, but also on environmental and social aspects. These aspects include reducing waste, recycling, having organic or recycled content, fair trade, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Below are summaries of several campus-wide programs and systems incorporating principles of sustainable purchasing.
Sustainable Purchasing Initiatives
Printer and Toner Cartridges
The contract for leased departmental multi-function copiers requires the vendor to accept and recycle all multi-function printer cartridges for their devices.
Kyocera
Customers can request recycling boxes from National Business Technologies by calling 1-800-900-1927 or sending an email to supplies@national1927.com. The boxes are approximately 14”x14”x32” and include a prepaid UPS shipping label. Fill the boxes with depleted Kyocera toner containers, seal, and send to their recycling facility partner, Close the Loop.
SymQuest
Recycling is available for all Konica Minolta consumables: toner cartridges, imaging units, waste toner bottles, developer, developer units and drums. Simply consolidate at least ten used Konica Minolta consumables into any spare box you have available, line it with a trash bag, print a shipping label from the Clean Planet Program website, and ship. This program is free of charge for all Konica Minolta customers returning Konica Minolta branded consumables.
Staples accepts all used empty cartridges and toner for recycling, regardless of brand. These can be given to the Staples delivery person the next time a delivery is made, or they can be shipped for free to Staples.
Used empty cartridges and toner bottles can be sent via campus mail to the recycling office, in original packaging if possible. Small items can be placed in campus Techno Trash bins. For larger toner items or that ditched desk-top printer, enter a Planon service request for pickup. See UVM's What to Recycle Guide.
T-Shirts
Purchasing Services has developed Sustainable T-Shirt Purchasing Guidelines for departments. Please look over our guidelines and incorporate them into your next purchase of t-shirts or clothing for campus. Our goal is to convince departments (you!) to switch to sustainable clothing.
Swag Giveaways
With the abundance of promotional products being given away regularly on campus, consider consulting this SWAG Hierarchy first.
Fleet Vehicles
If your department is looking to purchase a new or used vehicle, your starting point is UVM’s fleet vehicle procurement procedure. This procedure ensures that vehicles are only purchased when needed, are rightsized for the job, and that selection decisions take into account the short- and longer-term environmental impacts. Learn more about UVM’s efforts to green the fleet and what highly efficient or alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) will meet your department’s or school’s needs.
Copier and Print Paper
The University of Vermont is committed to purchasing recycled copier paper in support of our campus sustainability goals. We try to stay green by purchasing 100% recycled paper through our Staples Advantage office supplies contract.
Cleaning Products
Custodial Services requires that custodial supplies be Green Seal Certified. Additionally, Custodial Services has changed its cleaning methods to eliminate the use of cleaning chemicals and the generation of waste where possible, such as using odorless ozonated water for most routine cleaning.
Food Services
University Dining Services emphasizes foods and beverages that are both good for one’s health and socially and environmentally responsible. Examples include purchasing local, organic, and fair trade food and decreasing packaging and food waste on campus using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Waste Management Hierarchy to guide its waste reduction initiatives on campus.
Information Technology (IT) and Equipment
All the computers, laptops and iPads available through the UVM Bookstore’s TechStore conform to the EPA’s EPEAT program that promotes sustainable purchasing for electronic equipment. EPEAT provides lifecycle accounting on energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste generation and toxic materials. All laptops and monitors from the TechStore are EPEAT gold certified.
Carpeting
The University of Vermont is committed to purchasing sustainable carpeting in support of our campus sustainability goals. You can access great pricing on sustainable flooring products for any size job with our two preferred vendors – Interface and Shaw. Share our contract number with your local installer, and they will be given UVM’s sustainable options and pricing for your quote. See our UVM Contracted Suppliers (Excel) list for contract numbers and contacts.