HuskyBuy, on February 9 will be ready for submission of new requisitions and blanket PO requests for FY27.  These orders will be released on the last day of the Fiscal Year, Tuesday, 6/30.  For Blanket Orders you can create a new requisition by navigating to the HuskyBuy shopping home page and select the Non-Catalog Blanket Order form.

Please be cognizant of lead times for the procurement of various goods and services.  Software and cloud services renewals typically require IT Security review and may contain terms and conditions that will take the University some time to negotiate with the Supplier.  We highly recommend these renewals be quoted and submitted ASAP.

Please also be aware, it is important to decide upfront if you will need quantity or non-quantity, specifically in regard to invoicing. If you know ahead of time you will have multiple invoices to pay against your PO, you should make sure to setup your PO as one of the following:

• Blanket Order (All Blanket Orders are considered non-quantity by default.)
• Non Quantity
• Quantity order with enough quantities listed to cover the number of invoices posted and funds to cover the costs
• When in doubt about having multiple invoices make sure to use non-quantity.

Reminder:

• A reminder regarding this process will be sent in March and will include any new updates, such as other end of year 2026 fiscal deadlines that may impact procurement activities

Important Resources:

• Complete Instructions for preparing your FY27 Blanket Orders and Requisitions
• KnowledgeBase: Non-catalog orders general
• KnowledgeBase: Blanket Order Form
• KnowledgeBase: Quantity vs. Non-Quantity

As shared in our FY26 orders announcement in March, the State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services has confirmed that General Letter 71 will be substantially revised, and its sourcing exemptions will no longer apply as of July 1.

Previously, General Letter 71 allowed state agencies—including the University—to bypass competitive bidding for certain purchases, such as software renewals and hotel/event venues. These exemptions enabled Procurement to assist departments in acquiring specific goods and services more quickly.

Effective July 1, 2025:

• General Letter 71 will no longer be a valid sourcing option.
• It will be removed from all HuskyBuy forms.
• Departments must follow standard sourcing guidelines and thresholds for all purchases.
  • Please see announcement where the bid thresholds were increased on 10/1/2023, as these general increases should help mitigate some concerns.  Additionally, please refer to our Introduction to Purchasing guide for further information on sourcing practices.

Procurement is working on new policies to help streamline certain purchases. In the meantime, departments are encouraged to:

• Review current sourcing requirements.
• Contact the appropriate Category Manager to explore alternative sourcing strategies.

If you have questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Procurement.

With the expansion of international activities and research projects at the University, Procurement, Export Control, and Tax and Compliance have noted increased concerns from departments regarding international shipping, such as customs-related delays.

Here are some helpful reminders and considerations for international shipping:

• Shippers/Shipping Suppliers
  • FedEx/UPS: FedEx/UPS: Accounts Payable manages the billing and payment of shipping providers like UPS and FedEx. You can find instructions to set up an account with FedEx/UPS and manage billing through Accounts Payable here.
  • Nippon Express: Departments can utilize Nippon Express as a customs broker, to handle all necessary documentation and ensure smooth customs clearance for international shipments.  They also provide specialized handling for hazardous and sensitive items in consideration of international regulations.
• Shipping Considerations
  • Is the item hazardous/dangerous?
  • Does the item require any specific licenses?
  • Have I completed all customs documentation accurately? Missing or incorrect information can lead to significant delays
  • Am I aware of the destination country’s regulations regarding restricted or prohibited items? Shipping restricted goods can result in delays, fines, or the return of the shipment.

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