University-wide Contracted Suppliers

The University has institution-wide contracted agreements with a number of suppliers through competitive bidding or negotiated arrangements. It is University policy that you should always use a University-wide Contracted Supplier for purchase of any items for which the University has an agreement.

University-wide contracted suppliers offer the best overall value to the University. This means that, in addition to discounted prices for the University's most frequently purchased items, University-wide contracted suppliers offer excellent service, direct, on-time and generally free delivery, no-hassle returns, a quick and easy paperless ordering and payment process through the PantherExpress System, and other important contractual protections for the University. Utilize the directory of University-wide Contracted Suppliers included below. 

If your product is not available or you found better pricing elsewhere

If your requirements are unique and a technically equivalent product is not available from a University-wide Contracted Supplier, visit this page to learn more about assessing benefits versus risks and how to make purchases from alternate suppliers when necessary.

If you find better pricing from an alternate supplier, contact the University-Wide Contracted Supplier to ask about meeting or beating the alternate supplier’s price. If the University-wide contracted supplier cannot meet or beat the alternate supplier’s pricing, visit this page to learn more about assessing benefits versus risks and how to make purchases from alternate suppliers when necessary.

University-wide Contracted Supplier Directory

Purchases from the following University-wide Contracted Suppliers should be made through the purchasing method specified. Typically the purchasing method is the PantherExpress System, but varies depending on the commodity.

Supplier Classifications

Supplier classifications include four levels of suppliers and is based on a supplier's performance and business model and takes into consideration University requirements such as: cost, delivery, responsiveness, technology, and quality. 

Platinum

A Platinum Level supplier is a company with whom the University has entered into a long-term and collaborative business relationship. The supplier is committed to leveraging the strategic and operational capabilities of both organizations to achieve significant ongoing benefits for each party. This designation means that the University negotiated a discount pricing agreement and addressed all of the related terms and conditions and insurance requirements with the supplier.

Departments are required to purchase from Platinum Level suppliers as part of a University strategy to leverage its full buying power within a specific commodity.

There is only one Platinum Level supplier in a commodity and the supplier:

  • Meets all of the criteria for Gold Level suppliers;
  • Commits to, makes valuable contributions to and participates in all University supplier shows at levels higher than Gold, Silver and Bronze Level suppliers;
  • Has a robust e-business presence on the PantherExpress System with a punchout, electronic invoicing and possibly electronic credits and e-quotes;
  • Assists the University in funneling much of its spend on the commodity through a single supplier; and
  • Maintains high visibility on campus through dedicated account managers.

Gold

A Gold Level supplier is similar to a Silver Level supplier as it meets all of the same criteria, in addition the Gold Level supplier has a robust e-business presence on the PantherExpress System with a punchout, electronic invoicing and possibly electronic credits and e-quotes.

Silver

A Silver Level supplier is company with whom the University has entered into a long-term contract, has negotiated a discount pricing agreement and addressed all the related terms and conditions and insurance requirements with the supplier. Several Silver Level suppliers also provide specialized or niche products which are not offered by Platinum or Gold Level suppliers. Departments are required to support Silver Level suppliers as part of a University strategy to leverage its full buying power within specific commodities.

All Silver Level suppliers:

  • Meet a certain minimum level of business with the University;
  • Offer products or services in a targeted commodity;
  • Focus on managing the University-wide relationship not individual transactions;
  • Implement continuous improvements; and
  • May have a punchout or hosted catalog on the PantherExpress System.
  • Some Silver Level suppliers provide unique goods and services not offered by Platinum or Gold Level suppliers and
  • May be asked to:
    • Share business forecasts;
    • Recognize a shared destiny in business to ensure competitive pricing and thus maintain an aggressive and competitive pricing structure; and
    • Reduce delivery cycles through effective stocking programs and material production controls.

Bronze

A Bronze Level supplier is or will be enabled in the University's supplier database and generally offers goods or services priced on a single transaction. Several Bronze Level suppliers that are Diversity Business Enterprises (DBEs) have hosted catalogs on the PantherExpress System for ease of purchasing to fulfill Federal subcontracting plans.

Bronze Level suppliers offer products and services that meet a specific need for a University department.

The following Bronze Level DBE suppliers are not University-wide Contracted Suppliers, but they have hosted catalogs in the PantherExpress System" for ease of purchasing to fulfill Federal subcontracting plans:

  • Cosh Healthcare, Ltd: Laboratory Supplies
  • Garcia Marketing, Inc.: Photography & Video Supplies & Equipment
  • Spectrum Chemical & Laboratory Products: Laboratory Chemicals
  • Laboratory Product Sales: Laboratory Supplies

All other non-contracted DBE suppliers are available through the PantherExpress System via Standard Form (non-catalog) submission.

Suppliers with Personal Purchase Discount (PPD) Programs

A variety of University-wide Contracted Suppliers offer Personal Purchase Discount (PPD) programs to University employees. Using the University-wide Contracted Supplier Directory below, sort by the PPD column, select the name of the Supplier, and learn more about what they have to offer under the Programs and Designations section. 

Additionally, explore discounts through PittPerks. This is a program that provides a broad range of discounts and the opportunity to purchase certain voluntary benefits at group rates through payroll deductions to University employees. New offerings are added frequently.

Supplier Consolidation Initiatives

The following categories of goods, which were available from a range of suppliers, were consolidated to be purchased through a limited number of suppliers. Read more about the details of these consolidation initiatives.

Computing Consolidation Initiative

The Computing Consolidation Initiative (CCI) establishes standard configurations and purchasing agreements for desktop and notebook computers, including computer supplies and accessories that will provide the University with professional, business quality computers while achieving considerable cost and time savings.

Office Supply Consolidation Initiative

The Office Supply Consolidation Initiative (OSCI) established Supra Office Solutions, Inc. (SUPRA) as the platinum-level provider of office supplies for the University of Pittsburgh effective March 3, 2014. SUPRA is designated as a Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE).

Scientific Supplier Consolidation Initiative

The Scientific Supplier Consolidation Initiative (SSCI) established Fisher Scientific, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., as the preferred, platinum-level provider of scientific supplies, scientific equipment and instrumentation as of April 29, 2010. Additionally, this initiative has consolidated other scientific suppliers, when applicable, to other University-wide Contracted Suppliers such as VWR. 

Print & Graphic Design Supplier Consolidation

The Print & Graphic Design Consolidation establishes a limited number of University-wide Contracted Suppliers to provide print and graphic design services effective November 24, 2021.

Supplier Name Commodity Classification Green Program Purchasing Method DBE PPD PA Supplier Uniform Guidance
Encore Group (USA) LLC (formerly known as PSAV)
Virtual/Hybrid Conferences & Events
Silver
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
Accelevents
Virtual conferences or events
Silver
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
Cintas
Various Products & Services
Bronze
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
Yes
Anthony Travel
Travel Services
Platinum
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
American Management Association (AMA)
Training Solutions
Bronze
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
Psychology Software Tools, Inc.
Software
Silver
No
Standard Form
No
No
Yes
No
Covetrus North America
Scientific - Pharmaceuticals (non-clinical)
Silver
No
Standard Form
No
No
No
No
VWR International / VWR Lab Furniture
Scientific - Medical Supplies & Scientific - Lab Furniture
Silver
No
See Instructions
No
No
Yes
No
Medline Industries, LP
Scientific - Medical Supplies
Platinum
No
Punchout
No
No
No
Yes
Mettler -Toledo Rainin LLC
Scientific - Medical Supplies
Gold
Yes
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Agilent Technologies
Scientific - Medical Supplies
Silver
Yes
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
BD Biosciences
Scientific - Medical Supplies
Silver
Yes
Standard Form
No
No
No
No
Hunt Optics & Imaging Inc. dba B&B Microscopes
Scientific - Medical Equipment
Silver
No
Standard Form
No
No
Yes
Yes
Leica Microsystems, Inc.
Scientific - Medical Equipment
Silver
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
Yes
Waters Corporation
Scientific - Medical Equipment
Silver
Yes
Standard Form
No
No
No
No
Nikon Instruments, Inc.
Scientific - Medical Equipment
Silver
No
Standard Form
No
No
No
No
Cell Signaling Technology
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Silver
Yes
Punchout
No
No
No
No
EMD Millipore (MilliporeSigma)
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
Yes
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
Fisher Scientific
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Platinum
Yes
Punchout
No
No
No
Yes
Sigma Aldrich (MilliporeSigma)
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
Yes
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Stemcell Technologies
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Silver
No
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Integrated DNA Technologies
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
Yes
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Life Technologies
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
No
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Abcam, Inc.
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Silver
No
Punchout
No
No
No
No
New England Biolabs
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Silver
Yes
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
BioLegend
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
No
Hosted Catalog
No
No
No
No
QIAGEN, Inc.
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
Yes
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
No
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Bio-Rad Laboratories
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Gold
Yes
Punchout
No
No
No
No
Gemini Bio-Products
Scientific - Medical Chemicals
Silver
Yes
Hosted Catalog
No
No
No
No
Azenta Life Sciences or Azenta US Inc (formerly Genewiz)
Scientific - DNA Services
Silver
No
Standard Form
Yes
No
No
No
Charles River Laboratories
Scientific - Advisory Services
Bronze
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
No
PFL Tech, Inc.
Salesforce Partner
Silver
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
Yes
CDI Printing Services, Inc.
Print Services
Silver
Yes
Punchout
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
RRD Pittsburgh (formerly RR Donnelly)
Print Services
Silver
No
Punchout
No
No
Yes
Yes
Knepper Press
Print Services
Silver
Yes
Punchout
No
No
Yes
Yes
King Digital and Commercial Offset Printing (KDC)
Print Services
Silver
Yes
Punchout
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Herrmann Unlimited
Print Services
Silver
Yes
Punchout
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Reed & Witting Company
Print Services
Silver
Yes
Punchout
No
No
Yes
Yes
Heeter Printing
Print Services
Silver
Yes
Punchout
No
No
Yes
Yes
PrintGizmo
Print & Graphic Design Services
Platinum
Punchout
No
No
Yes
Print & Graphic Design Services
Print & Graphic Design Services
Punchout
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District
Print & Graphic Design Services
Silver
Yes
Punchout
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
America To Go
Ordering catering for pickup or delivery - small to medium sized groups
Gold
No
Punchout
No
No
No
Supra Office Solutions, Inc.
Office Supplies
Platinum
Yes
Punchout
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Various Networking Hardware
Networking Hardware
Silver
Yes
See Instructions
Yes
No
No
No
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
Medical Testing Services
Silver
No
Standard Form
No
No
Yes
No
Huron Consulting Group
Management Advisory Services
Platinum
No
See Instructions
No
No
No
Yes
Zoltun Studios Inc./Zoltun Design
Graphic Design Services
Silver
No
Punchout
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Red House Communications
Graphic Design Services
Silver
No
Punchout
Yes
No
Yes
Yes