UC procurement teams have a lot on their plates right now. This update is meant to reduce confusion, align UC policy with current federal requirements, and make key guidance easier to find when you need it.
Here is a summary of the six substantive changes included in the BUS-43 update, along with why each change was made and what it means for day-to-day work.
What’s new in BUS-43
1) Federal simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) updates
BUS-43 has been updated to reflect current federal thresholds:
- The simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) increases from $250,000 to $350,000.
- The prime contractor subcontracting plan threshold (FAR 19.702) increases from $750,000 to $900,000.
- The related construction threshold increases from $1.5 million to $2 million.
Why this changed: Federal guidance changed on October 1, 2025, and UC policy is being updated to match current federal requirements. This also responds to SBA audit findings at UCSF.
What this means for campus teams: Purchases and contracts within these updated ranges have simplified requirements, which should reduce administrative load and support faster processing.
2) Equipment definition now references BUS-29 (instead of a fixed dollar amount)
BUS-43 no longer relies on static “$5,000 or more” language for capital equipment. Instead, it now references BUS-29 for equipment threshold definitions.
Why this changed: The UC Controller’s Office requested this update so BUS-43 stays current automatically when equipment thresholds change.
What this means for campus teams: There is now one authoritative source for the capital equipment threshold. When in doubt, check BUS-29.
3) Payment language broadened: “virtual credit card” → “card payments”
BUS-43 updates the preferred payment language from “virtual credit card” to “card payments” to reflect broader, current practice.
Why this changed: UC Card Administrators requested this update to reflect all card types (virtual and physical) and to reinforce the Purchasing Card Program.
What this means for campus teams: This is a clarity update that supports consistent use of card-based payment methods across UC, where appropriate.
4) Micro-purchase section now links directly to federal compliance guidance
BUS-43’s micro-purchase award section now includes a direct hyperlink to the UC Procurement Federal Funds Checklist and uses clearer threshold language.
Why this changed: The UC Controller’s Office requested this change to improve alignment with OMB expectations and reduce searching for compliance resources.
What this means for campus teams: Faster access to the right federal compliance guidance at the point of need, directly from the policy.
5) Capital Markets Finance (CMF) terminology aligned to real workflow
BUS-43 updates Capital Markets Finance (CMF) language throughout Part 4 to align with the actual operational workflow and removes references to guides that do not exist.
Why this changed: CMF leadership requested alignment so policy language matches how the work is done today.
What this means for campus teams: Clearer instructions and fewer “dead ends” when interpreting steps or responsibilities.
6) All policy hyperlinks refreshed
BUS-43 has refreshed hyperlinks across the policy to ensure references land in the right place.
Why this changed: Links were updated to improve navigation and reduce broken or outdated references.
What this means for campus teams: Less time hunting for supporting materials and fewer dead links.
What you should do now
- Review the updated BUS-43 policy
- Register for the BUS-43 webinar with live Q&A on Feb. 27 at 10am.
- Bookmark the UC Procurement Federal Funds Resources (if you work with federal funds)
- If you have questions, use the support path for your campus or join our webinar on February 27.