UC Santa Barbara Procurement Results 2026
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara Achievements by Strategic Pillar
Economic and Community Impact
Lab Energy Costs Cut Via ULT Freezer Rebate Program
UCSB combined campus and supplier funding to help laboratories replace aging freezers with more energy-efficient ENERGY STAR models.
Challenge
Aging ultra-low-temperature freezers used excess energy, but replacement cost kept laboratories from moving to ENERGY STAR models.
Approach
UC Santa Barbara paired campus sustainability funding with a Fisher Scientific rebate to make replacement of aging ultra-low-temperature freezers more attainable for laboratories. Eligible labs could receive up to $6,500 toward an ENERGY STAR model - $4,000 from The Green Initiative Fund and $2,500 from Fisher.
Early Result
UC Santa Barbara estimated that replacing its oldest units could reduce annual energy use by 67% to 79%, lower lifecycle costs, and reduce the risk of freezer failure and sample loss.
Related Links:
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Why it matters
The program shows how procurement incentives can advance sustainability while protecting research continuity.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| Up to $6,500 Available toward each eligible ENERGY STAR freezer. |
| $4,000 Provided through The Green Initiative Fund. |
| $2,500 Supplier rebate from Fisher Scientific. |
| 67%–79% Estimated annual energy reduction from replacing the oldest units. |
Zero-Cost Supplier Take-Back for Ink and Toner
Free supplier take-back programs give UCSB departments an easy, cost-neutral way to recycle empty ink and toner cartridges.
Challenge
Empty ink and toner cartridges were easy to discard. Departments needed a free, prepaid manufacturer take-back path that did not add cost.
Approach
UC Santa Barbara highlighted free, prepaid manufacturer take-back programs for empty ink and toner cartridges. By directing departments to established supplier return channels, the campus makes recycling and remanufacturing simple and cost-neutral while extending material life and reducing waste.
Early Result
The guidance covers several major manufacturers and gives purchasers a practical way to support circular-economy goals without creating a new campus collection program.
Related Links:
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
It is a perfect example of using supplier capabilities to make responsible disposal easier.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| Free & Prepaid Manufacturer take-back programs are available at no added cost. |
| Supplier-Led Recycling Established return channels support recycling and remanufacturing. |
UCSB Earns 6th EPEAT Purchaser Award for Sustainable Electronics
UCSB earned its sixth EPEAT Purchaser Award, recognizing continued leadership in environmentally responsible electronics purchasing.
Challenge
Sustainable electronics purchasing across computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, and servers needed to remain a visible, year-over-year campus practice, not a one-time project.
Approach
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.
Early Result
The annual award recognizes organizations that lead in procuring electronics to reduce environmental and social impacts while building sustainable supply chains, highlighting UCSB’s long-standing commitment to sustainable procurement
Related Links:
2026 EPEAT Purchaser Award Winners
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
The award highlights UC Santa Barbara's sustained commitment to reducing environmental and social impacts through responsible electronics sourcing.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| 6th EPEAT Award Continued recognition for sustainable electronics procurement. |
| 4 Product Categories Computers & Displays, Imaging Equipment, Mobile Phones, and Servers. |
From Waivers to Certification: UCSB Maximizes Small Business First Compliance
UCSB turned waiver reviews into supplier-development opportunities, helping six businesses achieve active certification and generating nearly $215,000 in certified small-business spend.
Challenge
Small Business First waivers identified uncertified vendors that could participate if they completed California small-business certification or recertification.
Approach
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.
Early Result
Six suppliers achieved active certified status, yielding nearly $215,000 in spend with certified small businesses.
Related Links:
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
The outreach strengthened compliance while creating longer-term purchasing opportunities for small and diverse suppliers.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| 6 Suppliers Achieved active small-business certification. |
| Nearly $215K Spend with certified small businesses. |
| Expanded Participation Waiver reviews became opportunities to increase certified supplier participation. |
Strategic Partnerships
UCSB Launches Supplier Information Series
UCSB created Supplier Info Sessions to connect campus buyers directly with contracted suppliers and practical purchasing resources.
Challenge
Campus buyers needed direct time with contracted suppliers to learn punchout catalogs, sustainable products, small-business options, and furniture-repurposing services.
Approach
UC Santa Barbara Procurement launched Supplier Info Sessions in March, connecting campus buyers with Amazon Business, ODP Business Solutions, Polycarbin, Westnet, and bkm Office Environments.
Early Result
Virtual presentations and Q&A help users navigate punchout catalogs and identify sustainable products, circular lab-plastics services, small-business suppliers, and furniture repurposing options.
Related Links:
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
Recordings and policy guides are retained in an open-access repository, extending the sessions into an on-demand resource for efficient, sustainable, and inclusive purchasing.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| 5 Featured Suppliers Amazon Business, ODP, Polycarbin, Westnet, and bkm Office Environments. |
| Virtual Sessions + Q&A Buyers receive direct guidance on supplier tools and services. |
| Purchasing Topics Sessions address sustainable products, small-business suppliers, lab plastics, and furniture repurposing. |
UCSB Relaunches Amazon Business with Guidance
A centralized Amazon Business resource is helping UCSB buyers choose the right purchasing channel and navigate the marketplace more effectively.
Challenge
Amazon Business buyers needed clear guidance on when to use the Gateway punchout versus an authorized procurement card, plus one place for user guides and preferred-seller information.
Approach
UC Santa Barbara relaunched Amazon Business with guidance that helps campus buyers choose between the Gateway punchout and authorized procurement card purchases.
Early Result
The initiative shows users how to navigate the marketplace and identify preferred sustainable products and small business sellers.
Related Links:
UCSB's Amazon Business Prime Account
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
A dedicated Amazon Business + UC Santa Barbara webpage brings together buying-channel recommendations, user guides, and practical purchasing guidance, giving departments a centralized resource for using the platform effectively within campus procurement workflows.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| Two Buying Channels Guidance distinguishes Gateway punchout from authorized procurement-card use. |
| Preferred Purchasing Helps users identify sustainable products and small-business sellers. |
| One Central Resource User guides and buying recommendations are brought together in one webpage. |
Drive Value and Savings
UCSB Named #1 Overall Best in Class for All Card Programs
UCSB earned No. 1 Overall Best in Class recognition for its UC card programs and was the only location to grow across every product category.
Challenge
UC card programs needed cross-functional work on payment optimization, adoption, process efficiency, and customer service. UC Santa Barbara's results were later recognized as No. 1 Overall Best in Class among UC campuses and national laboratories.
Approach
UC Santa Barbara was recognized by UC Procurement and U.S. Bank as the No. 1 Overall Best in Class location for UC card programs among UC campuses and national laboratories. UC Santa Barbara was also identified as the only location to achieve growth across every product category.
Early Result
The recognition reflects a cross-functional approach to payment optimization, card adoption, process efficiency, and customer service.
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UCSB Leads the Pack in UC Systemwide Card Program Awards
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
The award provides third-party validation of UC Santa Barbara efforts to expand efficient electronic payment channels while supporting campus operations.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| #1 Overall Best in Class among UC campuses and national laboratories. |
| Only Location Achieved growth across every card-product category. |
| Cross-Functional Success Recognition reflects payment optimization, adoption, efficiency, and customer service. |
Continuous Improvement
Systematic Year-End PO Cleanup Improves Operations
A new mass-closure process is helping UCSB clear completed purchase orders, release residual encumbrances, and improve year-end financial reporting.
Challenge
Fully invoiced and received purchase orders still sat open at year-end, tying up residual encumbrances and cluttering financial reporting.
Approach
UC Santa Barbara Gateway Systems Team introduced a mass-closure process for purchase orders that are fully invoiced and fully received.
Result
Closing completed orders releases residual encumbrances for carry-forward use, surfaces hidden lien or accounting issues, and reduces system clutter that can undermine reporting accuracy.
Related Links:
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
By replacing one-by-one cleanup with a systematic year-end process, UC Santa Barbara is strengthening financial stewardship, data quality, and operational efficiency while giving departments a clearer view of available funds.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| Mass PO Closure Fully invoiced and received purchase orders can be closed systematically. |
| Funds Released Residual encumbrances become available for carry-forward use. |
| Cleaner Reporting Reduces system clutter and helps surface lien or accounting issues. |
Shared Carts Balance Workloads and Reduce Pricing
Gateway Shared Cart Groups help UCSB teams distribute purchasing work and combine demand before orders reach suppliers.
UCSB Relaunches Procurement Training Series
UCSB relaunched its procurement training series with seven weekly sessions covering core purchasing, compliance, and contracting topics.
UCSB Completes 5-Year Financial Management Modernization
A five-year modernization brought UCSB onto Oracle Financials Cloud while transforming financial reporting, purchasing workflows, and user support.
Challenge
UC Santa Barbara had to complete a five-year financial-management modernization, replacing 46 legacy systems and preparing procurement users for Oracle Financials Cloud and a new chart of accounts.
Approach
UC Santa Barbara launched Oracle Financials Cloud and a new Common Chart of Accounts on July 1, 2025, completing a five-year modernization effort. The rollout integrated 46 legacy systems and introduced FinHub with 59 reports and 10 dashboards, supported by 330 user testers and 600 town hall participants.
Early Result
Procurement prepared users through an eight-course e-learning curriculum, including five role-based required courses, and dedicated 230 live office hours (11.6% of annual working capacity) to troubleshooting.
Related Links:
Related Annual Report pillar page
Why it matters
New purchasing integrations, training, and direct support helped departments navigate updated procure-to-pay processes while sustaining campus operations.
| At a Glance |
|---|
| 5 Years Financial-management modernization effort. |
| 46 Legacy Systems Integrated through the transition. |
| 59 Reports + 10 Dashboards Introduced through FinHub. |
| 330 User Testers Supported implementation readiness. |
| 600 Participants Engaged through town halls. |
| 230 Office Hours Dedicated to live troubleshooting and user support. |
Risk Management
Live-Event Safety Compliance Now Built Into Procurement Workflow
UCSB embedded new live-event safety requirements into the purchasing process so training and vendor compliance are reviewed before work begins.