To ensure that IT purchase requests are billed within the current fiscal year, units are encouraged to make IT purchase requests by the end of April. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic make it more difficult for vendors to fulfill these requests before the June 30 deadline when funds for the current fiscal year will expire.

To make a request for an IT purchase, please use the Purchase Request Form. Once the form is submitted, it will be reviewed by a team of purchasing, information security and IT specialists. These specialists will review the request from a variety of angles and then approve, deny or request more information for the procurement.

If you need assistance determining what computers or other IT equipment your department should replace, please contact the UWM Help Desk to request an inventory of equipment. IT professionals can also discuss with you the best options for upgrading or replacing computer hardware.

Some other information about purchasing within the fiscal year:

• The IT purchase must be charged within the current fiscal year to use current funds. Most vendors charge on the date the item ships, not the date it was ordered.
• If you are purchasing an item that has a lead time to ship (for example, a three-week lead time for a laptop), factor in that lead time when determining if the item will be billed in the current fiscal year.

For more information about IT purchasing and using the Purchase Request Form, please see the IT Procurement website.