University at Buffalo (UB) 
Administrative Services Gateway
Administrative Services GatewayBuilding partnerships through collaboration
Staples Contract to Lapse—Plan Ahead, Purchase Now
Published June 2, 2023
To mitigate price volatility, UB departments should now consider purchasing office supplies by June 22, 2023 to cover departmental needs for several months.
UB relies on the New York State Office of General Services (OGS)’s Staples contract to purchase office supplies universitywide. This contract is set to expire on June 30, 2023. OGS informed us that the Staples contract will lapse for several months while the state issues a formal solicitation. This means that office supply pricing and product availability may fluctuate until the Staples contract is renegotiated.
UB Purchasing and Contract Services is working with SUNY, NYS OGS, and multiple vendors to create an interim solution starting July 1, 2023.
What UB Units Should Do Now
Prepare for the Lapse:
Submit your state-funded office supply orders no later than June 22, 2023 to take advantage of current pricing. State office supply expenditures received after June 30, 2023 must be charged to 2023-24. All receivers associated with State 2022-23 purchase orders must be entered by July 10, 2023.
UB Foundation and Research Foundation purchases do not have a deadline, but the office supply catalog will change on July 1, 2023 and likely will reflect increased pricing.
Use the ShopBlue Office Supplies Showcase Catalog for All Orders:
ShopBlue will continue to offer the Office Supplies Showcase Catalog for ordering, but at this time we cannot confirm supplier or item pricing offered after June 30, 2023.
