UC Systemwide Procurement is thrilled to announce our renewal of the UC-wide agreement with Fisher Scientific through June 2029 to provide life science research supplies, equipment, and preventive maintenance. Fisher Scientific is a laboratory supply and biotechnology arm of Thermo Fisher Scientific™ that offers products and services to the global scientific research and clinical laboratory markets.
Key benefits to UC from the Fisher Scientific contract renewal include:
- Valuable product savings across the entire portfolio, including the Switch & Save program (more details below)
- 25% of UC expenditure to be purchased through a Tier 1 small, diverse, woman-owned business at no cost to UC
- $100,000 per year toward UC’s sustainable laboratory programs
- $25,000 in STEM undergraduate grants, and
- Ongoing student internship programs.
Key Strategic Partners with Multiple Collaborations
Thermo Fisher Scientific™ has become a key strategic partner with the University of California, fostering groundbreaking research collaborations across multiple campuses. In 2023, they opened a 44,000 sq-ft state-of-the-art Cell Therapy Manufacturing and Collaboration Center at UC San Francisco, accelerating cell-based therapy development with advanced cGMP services.
At UC San Diego, a 10-year partnership is focused on establishing a cutting-edge Technology Sandbox, creating a collaborative research framework to explore scientific frontiers, developing a pipeline of diverse students for training in advanced research techniques, and promoting a sustainable supply chain for research products.
At UC Davis, Thermo Fisher supports the Aggie Square Innovation District and collaborates at the Clinical Metabolomics Center to scale large cohort studies and provide training for early-career researchers. These initiatives showcase only a portion of Thermo Fisher’s significant contributions to UC’s research excellence.
Switch & Save Program
The University is also maximizing research dollars through its partnership with Fisher Scientific and the cost-saving Switch & Save program. This smart buying initiative analyzes purchasing trends to suggest lower-cost alternatives without compromising quality.
Buyers access personalized recommendations for cost-effective products via Fishersci.com, helping them make informed decisions. Since its launch, Switch & Save has generated $2.4 million in savings UC-wide, with $1.8 million saved in fiscal year 2024 alone.
By utilizing this program, UC researchers can optimize their budgets, ensuring every purchase delivers maximum value while maintaining high standards. This program supports the University’s commitment to efficient resource management and long-term research success. (Contact your local Fisher Scientific sales rep for more information about this program.)