VCU Procurement Services

What is ARMICS?ARMICS (Agency Risk Management and Internal Control Standards) is a State Comptroller directive that ensures VCU’s fiscal processes are accurate, compliant, and well-documented. It sets expectations for internal controls, risk management, and proper oversight of financial activities. What this means for youARMICS helps make sure financial processes run smoothly and accurately. This means […]

At VCU Procurement Services, we strive to provide a transparent and efficient experience for our campus departments and the businesses that support our university. A frequent question we hear from staff and faculty is: “How is a vendor’s payment method determined?” The answer is simple: The vendor is always in the driver’s seat.  They choose […]

New express bus service connecting Richmond and Washington, D.C. began on March 7. The buses are designed to supplement rail travel while construction continues on the Long Bridge Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding passenger rail capacity between Virginia and the nation’s capital. Amtrak will offer round-trip, nonstop bus service between Richmond’s Staples Mill […]

When traveling on behalf of VCU, it’s important to keep in mind that the university follows federal Meals & Incidental Expenses (M&IE) per diem guidelines. What does that mean for you? Your daily per diem already includes a set amount to cover incidental expenses—like tips and gratuities. Because of this, these costs should not be […]

On March 16, 2026, the Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP) online booking tool, Lightning, got a fresh new look. The updated design uses lighter, brighter colors to make the platform easier to read and navigate. While the appearance has changed, everything else remains the same. All features and functions are still in their usual places, so […]

Payroll Services will hold Quarterly Tuition Benefit Taxation Overview Webinars to assist employees in understanding how this benefit may impact annual taxes.Employees may register for an upcoming session via the below links. Future sessions may be found on the Employee Tax Updates section of the Payroll Services section of the Controller’s Office website.

RealSource 26.1 Update Planned Downtime & Form Request Refresh RealSource will be unavailable beginning Friday, March 27 at 9:00 PM through Sunday, March 29 at 12:00 PM while we deploy software release 26.1. This release includes a visual refresh to the Form Request interface, bringing a cleaner layout, improved navigation, and a more consistent experience across the […]

Recently, we shared guidance regarding international travel and Level 3 and 4 U.S. Department of State advisories, including ITAC petition requirements and STEP enrollment. You can review that full guidance here: Know Before You Go: International Travel Advisory Guidance. To support upcoming international travel, we’re highlighting emergency assistance resources available to VCU employees traveling abroad. […]

We all love a good discount. And when you’re booking travel for University business, our contracted corporate codes are there to help you secure preferred rates and built-in protections. But here’s the important part: University corporate discount codes are for official VCU business travel only. Using a business code for personal or leisure travel may […]

Renting a vehicle for university business? Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and fully protected. To ensure full coverage and alignment with university policy, please review the requirements below before booking your rental. 👩🏾‍💼 Employee Requirements All VCU employees must have Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) coverage for […]