Procurement and Payment Services (PPS) conducts many Invitations to Bid to establish contracts for use by departments and schools. These contracts may be for use by all departments and schools, which are Preferred Vendors, or they may be contracts for use by specific departments and schools. Contracts are established based on the results of a formal, competitive Invitation to Bid process. See the Preferred Vendor List for more information on all vendor contracts.
CDWG Master Agreement for Professional Services
Bid issued for products related to Material, Operations and Repair (MRO)
A committee was assembled representing a large portion of the material buying community.
Four contracts for the categories of Plumbing, Electric and HVAC were awarded.
Both Johnson Plumbing and Neuco (specialty HVAC) were re-awarded multi-year agreements. Both vendors are active in iBuyNU.
Two new agreements were awarded
Connexion will replace Steiner Electric for electric supplies. Connexion is enabled in iBuyNU and ready to use for orders. Steiner has been removed.
Fastenal will replace Grainger for HVAC supplies and is in the process of enablement in iBuyNU.
Until Fastenal is live and ready for ordering, Grainger will remain active in iBuyNU and the community may continue to purchase from them with the current contracted pricing/terms.
Updates to Existing Contracts
Updates to existing contracts established by PPS may include new contact information for dedicated representatives, service updates, and newly available products. For questions about these updates, please view the individual vendor pages on the Preferred Vendor List or contact PPS at (847) 491-8120 or procurement@northwestern.edu.
CDWG Software VAR Extension
T-Mobile NASPO Agreement
Club Colors and Corporate Imaging Concepts (promotional products) in iBuyNU:
Punchout catalogs for these vendors are now fully integrated and live in Northwestern's iBuyNU Marketplace.
Allows buyers across campus to seamlessly access premium branded merchandise and apparel directly through iBuyNU.
Access streamlined ordering, automated approvals, and a curated selection of on-brand products.
Personalized service for bulk orders and custom solutions will continue to be available by contacting the dedicated representatives on the Club Colors and Corporate Imaging Concepts Preferred Vendor pages.
Mark Vend will be known as Canteen in iBuyNU and changes to the catalog are forthcoming. Current personnel and processes will remain the same.
Egencia access expired on May 31, 2025.
If information is needed about a past trip, please email the Travel Services department for Egencia itineraries at travel@northwestern.edu.
In the request, include pertinent trip information:
traveler's name
travel dates
destination
itinerary number
Any changes or cancellations needed for upcoming travel booked through Egencia, contact the airline or hotel vendor directly.
Contracts We're Working On
PPS is always working to establish Preferred Vendor contracts that best serve the needs of all Northwestern departments and schools. These are a combination of new contracts and timely rebids of current contracts. For questions about these or other bids, please contact PPS at (847) 491-8120 or procurement@northwestern.edu.
Apple transition to CDWG
Global Marketing MDAM Software RFP
Adobe Creative Cloud Extension
Provost – International Employer of Record RFP
Fuel Oil Bid - issued in July
Janitorial Supplies (underway)
Declining balance card program
Refresh of pre-qualified list of staffing providers