IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate to $0.76/Mile, Effective July 1, 2026
The IRS has announced a mid-year increase to the standard mileage rate, raising it from $0.725 to $0.76 per mile for business use, effective July 1, 2026, This is a rare off-cycle adjustment. The IRS typically sets this rate once a year, but rising fuel prices prompted the mid-year revision. What this means for VCU […]
How to Make Common PO Changes in RealSource
The correct process for changing a purchase order depends on the type of PO, whether invoices have been processed, and what needs to be updated. Common changes Use a Change Request to: For an index, account code, or accounting change, do not simply overwrite accounting on a line with prior activity. Reduce the original line […]
New Airgas eCatalog and Training Available in RealSource
Beginning August 14, 2026, VCU departments will be able to purchase industrial, medical and specialty gases, laboratory and safety products, welding supplies, and related items through the new Airgas eCatalog in RealSource. The catalog will appear under Scientific & Medical in the RealSource Showcase and will provide direct access to VCU pricing while streamlining requisition […]
Now Available: Auto-Populated Dates in Emburse Expense
The Auto-Populated Dates enhancement is now available in Emburse Expense. When creating a new expense report, enter your overall travel dates in the Expense Report Header. Emburse will automatically carry those dates over to the applicable expense tiles, including: The auto-populated dates remain editable, allowing you to adjust an individual expense when it does not […]
Do I Need a Change Request?
A Change Request is generally needed when a purchase order no longer reflects the expected price, quantity, funding, scope, or remaining balance. When the change is known in advance Submit a Change Request before the vendor provides additional goods or services when: Cancel or liquidate? For more detail, review Keeping POs Clean: Best Practices in […]
Using a Cooperative Contract: What to Check First
A cooperative contract can be an efficient way to purchase goods or services, but it is not automatically available for every VCU need. Send the contract details to Procurement Services before relying on a cooperative contract. Why cooperative contracts can help Cooperative contracts may provide access to competitively established pricing and negotiated terms while reducing […]
Fewer Clicks, Fewer Typos: Emburse Expense Just Got Smarter
Update: The Auto-Populated Dates enhancement is coming soon to Emburse Expense. This article has been updated to clarify the implementation timeline. Additional information will be shared when the feature is available. Let’s be honest: nobody lists “filing expense reports” as their favorite activity. Manually tracking down receipts and repeatedly entering identical travel dates makes expense […]
Link the Contract & Protect the Deal in RealSource
When you’re buying from an existing contract, link the contract to your RealSource requisition before you submit it. This matters most for purchases under $10,000, where the requisition typically becomes a purchase order without review by a Procurement Services buyer. If you don’t link the contract, no one else will. Why linking matters Linking connects […]
Choosing the Right Procurement Path
The right procurement method depends on the total contract value, what VCU is buying, and whether competition or an exception applies. Procurement Services can help identify the appropriate path before a department selects or commits to a vendor. Request for Proposal (RFP) Formal process used when VCU needs to evaluate factors beyond price and may […]
New Software Release & RealSource Downtime
RealSource will be unavailable due to a scheduled system update beginning Friday, July 17, at 9:00 PM through Sunday, July 19, at 12:00 PM while Release 26.2 is deployed. This is a minor software release, and only minimal changes are included. Users should plan accordingly and complete any time-sensitive transactions before the scheduled downtime. Thank you for your patience and understanding […]
