July 2018 Newsletter – Director’s Corner
In the planning stages since 2013, updates to Federal Uniform Guidance went into effect at the University of Nebraska on July 1, 2018. Generally, these changes are intended to reduce administrative burdens and the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse. Whether you are buying for sponsored or non-sponsored programs, Uniform Guidance has an impact on the purchase of goods and services. Additionally, all four campus procurement offices have collaborated to ensure our guidelines are aligned for consistency. What follows is a brief overview of what you will want to know.
*What is Federal Uniform Guidance?
Uniform Guidance is a set of regulations (located at 2 C.F.R. 200) that consolidates federal guidelines impacting research administration.
*Who is impacted by Uniform Guidance?
Faculty and staff authorized to purchase goods and services for their department or school using government, grant or University funds. Uniform Guidance treats purchases for sponsored and non-sponsored programs alike, applying the same rules regardless of funding source.
*What’s changing?
The “micro-purchase” spend threshold, and restrictions on contractors who assist in drafting specifications now must be excluded from competing for those opportunities.
*What’s NOT changing:
Most Uniform Guidance requirements affecting Purchasing are already in place at the University of Nebraska. Competitive proposals and/or sealed bids are required for purchases exceeding $150,000. And sole sources require adequate supporting documentation for justification and comparison.
*When does Uniform Guidance go into effect?
Changes went effect at the University of Nebraska on July 1, 2018, as it has at many other higher education institutions. Related purchasing guidelines can be viewed here. Please note that these updates impact purchasing related to both sponsored and non-sponsored programs.
*The good news.
Procurement Services is ready to help. For more information, please refer to other parts of this newsletter, and other recent communications on this topic, including content from recorded PED Talks presentations during May and June 2018. Also, feel free to contact us directly by calling 402-472-2126, or emailing us at procurement@unl.edu.
As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.
Best regards,
Maggie