Dear Colleagues,

The recent announcement of broad U.S. tariffs affecting nearly all international trading partners introduces added uncertainty to the global supply chain.

In response, one of the most effective steps we can take is to prioritize the use of UC systemwide contracted suppliers whenever possible. By aggregating our UC Procurement spend with these partners, the University strengthens these relationships and maximizes our collective purchasing power—helping to ensure continuity and stability during uncertain times.

Supplier punchout catalogs within Oracle remain the preferred method for sourcing commonly purchased goods. If you cannot locate an item in these catalogs, please visit the UC Procurement website to explore systemwide agreements that may meet your needs. If you are still unable to find what you are looking for, contact Procurement Services at purchasing@ucr.edu for assistance.

In cases where working with non-contracted suppliers is necessary, please be mindful of the potential impact of tariffs when requesting quotes. If price increases occur, please ask suppliers to clearly outline any additional tariff-related costs rather than incorporate them into the overall item price.

UC Systemwide Procurement and campus Chief Procurement Officers are closely monitoring and responding to these dynamic supply chain challenges. I will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued partnership and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,