2026 Annual Report - Economic Impact
Economic & Community Impact
Campus Contributions Towards Economic & Community Impact
UC Procurement
Advancing Economic Impact Through eProcurement Innovation
The Systemwide eProcurement Systems and Life Sciences teams partnered with UC Berkeley, Fisher Scientific, and Possible Missions to implement JAGGAER’s Multi-Fulfillment capability for the first time at UC. Selected purchases are automatically redirected to Possible Missions, a certified small- and woman-owned supplier, without changing the shopper experience. Following the Berkeley pilot, the solution expanded to UC Davis, with UCLA right after them.
Supporting Local Small-Business MRO Purchasing
UC Berkeley is using the Stygian Powered by Grainger catalog in BearBUY to connect everyday maintenance, repair, operations, tools, and facility purchases with a local small-business partner. Departments receive the same Grainger products and pricing they expect, along with responsive support from Oakland-based Stygian, Berkeley's approved small-business partner for the catalog. The channel gives campus buyers a practical way to advance economic-impact goals through routine purchasing without changing product access.
Berkeley's Virtual Sustainable Travel Event Expands Reach and Cuts Emissions
UC Berkeley's third annual Sustainable Travel Event moved online in November 2025, expanding participation to additional UC campuses while eliminating an estimated 10.3 metric tons of CO2e associated with presenter and attendee travel. The Berkeley Travel Team partnered with the Campus Sustainability Office and UCOP Central Travel Office to bring together travel suppliers and sustainability experts for sessions on lower-carbon booking choices, aviation, hotels, rental cars, and travel emissions. The event demonstrates how procurement and travel programs can combine supplier engagement, education, and event design to reduce environmental impact.
Berkeley Diverts More Than 18 Tons of Mattress Waste Through Dormlife Partnership
UC Berkeley used UC's competitively solicited Dormlife contract to pair a major residence-hall mattress replacement with measurable waste reduction. Through certified recycling partners, 670 used mattresses were diverted from landfill, recovering 36,850 pounds of steel, foam, wood, and other materials - more than 18 tons of waste removed from the disposal stream. Dormlife also provided sustainability reporting to support UC waste-reduction goals. Because UC serves as lead agency for the OMNIA Partners contract, other public institutions can use the same competitively bid solution without conducting a separate RFP.
Extending the Last Mile Initiative Through Amazon Dedicated Delivery
UC Davis expanded its Last Mile Initiative by adding Amazon Dedicated Delivery in February 2026. Eligible Amazon orders placed through Aggie Enterprise now default to consolidated delivery: pallets arrive at Central Receiving, packages are assigned in AggieLogistics, and campus Mail Services employees complete same-day delivery using existing routes. Recipients receive confirmation once items arrive. This model supports the university's sustainable logistics strategy and preserves fast, free delivery while reducing outside vehicle traffic and relying on staff familiar with campus buildings and access requirements.
UC Davis Mail Services Saves Gas & Time Without Sacrificing Service
UC Davis Mail Services moved low-activity locations to on-demand pickup after finding that 50-65% of stops did not need daily service. In a 40-stop pilot, daily stops fell to 26, mileage dropped 35% from 21 to 13.65 miles, and route time decreased 25%. The model also saved one gallon of gas and an estimated 20 pounds of carbon dioxide per day, while requests submitted before 2 p.m. still received same-day pickup.
UC Davis Integration Channels Spend to Certified Small Business
UC Davis launched the Fisher Scientific-Possible Missions integration in January 2026, extending a UC procurement model that routes selected life-sciences purchases through a certified small and woman-owned business without changing the shopper's Fisher catalog experience. In the first three months, UC Davis processed nearly 700 purchase orders representing more than $418,600 in spend through Possible Missions. This integration makes small-business participation part of the normal eProcurement workflow, helping UC direct routine scientific purchasing toward economic and community impact while preserving familiar products, pricing, and fulfillment.
Advancing Sustainability Through Strategic Purchasing
UC Merced received its first EPEAT Purchaser Award, recognizing the University's leadership in environmentally responsible electronics procurement. Merced strengthened its sustainable purchasing practices through supplier partnerships, marketplace configurations, and eProcurement guided buying that prioritizes sustainable products. Procurement also deepened its partnership with the campus Sustainability Office by providing sourcing and acquisition support for environmental initiatives, including a fast-tracked sustainable hydration solution for commencement ceremonies. These efforts reduced reliance on less sustainable products, supported lower energy use and waste, and embedded environmental considerations more directly into everyday purchasing decisions.
Innovating Asset Recovery and Circular Economy Practices
UC Merced launched the first digital surplus-property storefront of its kind within the University of California system, creating a new channel for the sale, reuse, and recovery of university assets. Led by the Equipment and Surplus team, the online storefront expands visibility into available property, improves customer access, and simplifies sales transactions. The platform reduces administrative effort, creates new opportunities to recover value, and helps keep usable equipment out of the waste stream. Its scalable design positions UC Merced as an innovator in surplus management and circular-economy practices, with the potential to inform similar approaches across other UC locations as interest grows.
Surplus Sales Diverts 1.4M Pounds from Landfill While Generating $1.26+M
In FY2025-26, UC San Diego Surplus Sales diverted 1.38 million pounds of material from landfill and generated more than $1.26 million through sales, reuse, recycling, and donations. A 10-person team supported 1,485 surplus transfer requests, redeploying assets ranging from office furniture and technology to vehicles and research equipment. The program combines sustainability, responsible asset stewardship, and measurable financial value.
Procurement Secures No-Cost EV Pilot for Campus Safety
UC San Diego Procurement enabled the Police Department to test two fully outfitted electric Chevrolet Blazers through a six-month equipment loan at no cost to the University. The pilot includes one pursuit-rated patrol vehicle and one administrative vehicle for community events, allowing evaluation of battery range, cargo capacity, and transport capabilities in real-world public safety operations. This loan agreement offers a low-risk way for the campus to assess emerging fleet technology and provide direct operational feedback to the manufacturer. The pilot advances UC San Diego's sustainability goals while establishing a model for using supplier partnerships to evaluate green technologies before committing capital funds.
UCSF Second Annual Supplier Connections Expo a Success
UCSF's second annual Supplier Connections Expo brought more than 200 employees and community partners to Mission Bay. The event featured 15 certified suppliers and 13 local caterers, creating direct opportunities to explore products, services, and future procurement partnerships. More than 20 donated raffle prizes helped drive engagement, and attendees gave the expo a 4.9-star rating. The event strengthened connections with local small businesses and highlighted UCSF's commitment to inclusive sourcing and community partnership.
UCSF Logistics Honored with Sustainability Award
UCSF honored SCM Logistics Executive Director Mel Maxwell as one of five 2026 Sustainability Award recipients for his leadership in fleet electrification. Recent work includes purchasing and optimizing routes for electric delivery vehicles and breaking ground on a multi-vehicle charging station. Maxwell accepted the recognition on behalf of the Logistics team, which is working to make the hundreds of miles traveled each day in support of UCSF emission-free.
UCSB Earns 6th EPEAT Purchaser Award for Sustainable Electronics
UC Santa Barbara was named a recipient of its sixth EPEAT Purchaser Award, recognizing sustainable electronics purchases across four categories: Computers & Displays, Imaging Equipment, Mobile Phones, and Servers. The recognition covers Fiscal Year 2025 purchasing and was announced in UC Procurement's June 2026 update. The award highlights UCSB's sustained commitment to reducing environmental and social impacts through responsible electronics sourcing.
From Waivers to Certification: UCSB Maximizes Small Business First Compliance
UC Santa Barbara turned Small Business First waiver reviews into opportunities to expand certified supplier participation. Between February and June 2026, the campus Small Business Officer contacted uncertified vendors about California Small Business certification or recertification. Six suppliers achieved active certified status, yielding nearly $215,000 in spend with certified small businesses. The outreach strengthened compliance while creating longer-term purchasing opportunities for small and diverse suppliers.
UC Santa Cruz
Leading in Small Business Spend While Delivering Record Campus Savings
This fiscal year, UC Santa Cruz directed 24.4% of campus spend, or $40.4 million, to small and diverse suppliers, exceeding the 25% goal several times throughout the year. Procurement also delivered a campus-record $11.12 million in Benefit Bank savings against a $10.47 million goal.
Innovation complemented these results: UCSC and Berkeley partnered with JAGGAER on emerging AI tools, while a student capstone developed automated policy analysis using 52,000 prior-year OneCard transactions. UCSC Accounts Payable also processed more than $6 million in OneCard payments during FY26.
Strategic Priorities
UC Procurement is committed to the five strategic priorities below. Through dedication to these priorities, we strive to empower our campuses, foster innovation, and shape a more sustainable and equitable future. This Annual Report is organized by these five priorities – click any card to delve into our progress in these areas:
Economic and Community Impact
Strategic Partnerships
Drive Value and Savings
Continuous Improvement
Risk Management
Our supply chain, legal, and policy strategies minimize risk to safeguard UC against financial, operational, and reputational damage.