[{"id":2266,"date":"2026-09-29T15:15:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2266"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:15:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:15:38","slug":"%f0%9f%8d%bd%ef%b8%8f-happening-monday-have-you-registered-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/%f0%9f%8d%bd%ef%b8%8f-happening-monday-have-you-registered-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Happening Monday! Have You Registered Yet?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The countdown is on! Our <strong>America To Go Vendor Tasting Event<\/strong> is happening <strong>this Monday, October 5<\/strong>, and spots are filling quickly. If you missed our original announcement, now is the perfect time to learn more about VCU&#8217;s new America To Go e-catalog and the exciting lineup of local catering partners featured at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.<\/strong> Join us to sample delicious menu options, meet approved vendors, and discover new catering solutions for your next department meeting, campus event, or special occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc49 Be sure to check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/savoring-the-selection-america-to-go-vendor-tasting-event\/\">original post below for full event details and registration information.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The countdown is on! Our America To Go Vendor Tasting Event is happening this Monday, October 5, and spots are filling quickly. If you missed our original announcement, now is the perfect time to learn more about VCU&#8217;s new America To Go e-catalog and the exciting lineup of local catering partners featured at the event. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2236,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[214,123,117,377],"class_list":["post-2266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-atg","tag-business-meals","tag-catering","tag-tasting-event"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2266"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2268,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2266\/revisions\/2268"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2263,"date":"2026-09-29T15:10:35","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2263"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:10:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:10:36","slug":"%e2%9c%88%ef%b8%8f-announcing-vcus-new-delta-airlines-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/%e2%9c%88%ef%b8%8f-announcing-vcus-new-delta-airlines-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2708\ufe0f Announcing VCU\u2019s New Delta Airlines Partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are excited to announce a new corporate agreement with Delta Air Lines, designed to bring exclusive discounts and elevated perks to VCU business travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re flying domestically for a conference or heading overseas for research, this partnership makes your university&nbsp; travel smoother, more comfortable, and more cost-effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exclusive Perks on Your Next Trip<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you book a Delta Flight &#8211; or a flight with their primary global alliance partners like <strong>Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico, LATAM, Korean Air, and China Eastern- <\/strong>you will immediately receive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Upfront Airfare Discounts: <\/strong>Direct savings on flights originating from the U.S. (discount percentages vary by fare class).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Complimentary Preferred Seating:<\/strong> Better seat selection at no extra charge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Priority Boarding:<\/strong> Early boarding to ensure your carry-on easily finds overhead bin space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Priority Disruption Recovery:<\/strong> Priority flight re-accommodation during delays or cancellations that get you back on track quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Important Reminder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">To ensure your flight automatically receives corporate discounts and priority perks, you must book through standard VCU travel channels (CTP). Corporate discounts and priority statuses cannot be applied retroactively or to flights booked outside of approved university tools.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Don&#8217;t Forget Our Existing Partnerships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a reminder, VCU also maintains corporate partnerships with <strong>Southwest Airlines<\/strong> and <strong>American Airlines<\/strong>. These relationships serve as the perfect complement to our new Delta agreement, giving you a full suite of competitive corporate rates and flexible, cost-effective options for domestic and international travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our goal in Procurement Services is to provide you with the most comprehensive, flexible, and affordable travel network possible. We are actively negotiating with other major legacy carriers to continue expanding our portfolio, and we look forward to sharing more exciting airline updates in the coming months!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ready to Book Your Next Trip?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These new Delta benefits are <strong>available immediately<\/strong> for all approved VCU business travel! As the classic slogan goes, Delta is ready when you are\u2014so head over to the travel portal and start planning your next flight!&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are excited to announce a new corporate agreement with Delta Air Lines, designed to bring exclusive discounts and elevated perks to VCU business travelers. Whether you\u2019re flying domestically for a conference or heading overseas for research, this partnership makes your university&nbsp; travel smoother, more comfortable, and more cost-effective. Exclusive Perks on Your Next Trip [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2264,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[68,3],"class_list":["post-2263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-delta","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2263"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2265,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2263\/revisions\/2265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2260,"date":"2026-09-29T15:00:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2260"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:00:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:00:55","slug":"changes-to-bank-of-america-boa-login-coming-september-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/changes-to-bank-of-america-boa-login-coming-september-30\/","title":{"rendered":"Changes to Bank of America (BoA) Login Coming September 30!\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The way you access the BoA Works system will change on September 30, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bank of America is undergoing a platform transformation. All corporate card tools, including BoA Works, will soon be accessed exclusively from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankofamerica.com\/globalcardaccess\">Bank of America\u2019s Global Card Access (GCA) website<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What this means for you: You will first log into GCA, and then click through to Works without being prompted for additional login credentials.&nbsp;This new single sign-on process allows you to manage both GCA and Works functionality using just one user profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Is Works functionality changing?\u00a0 <\/strong>No. Works functionality is not changing.\u00a0\u00a0Only the way you access Works is changing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What are the benefits of this Change?\u00a0<\/strong> You will no longer need separate user profiles for GCA and Works. If you already use GCA, you know it is handy for setting up purchase alerts, managing your card\u2019s PIN, and viewing balances or recent activity. Now, everything will be in one place.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On Migration Day (September 30, 2026)<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On September 30, 2026, you will receive a Welcome Email to your&nbsp;@<a href=\"http:\/\/vcu.edu\/\">vcu.edu<\/a> email address&nbsp;from <a href=\"mailto:globalcardaccess@bofa.com\">globalcardaccess@bofa.com<\/a>. Depending on your current account status, please follow these steps: &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If you do not already have a GCA user ID<\/strong>: The email will guide you through registering for GCA for the first time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I<strong>f you have an existing GCA user ID: <\/strong>The email will confirm you can use that existing GCA user profile to log into GCA.\u00a0\u00a0Note: In some cases, existing GCA users will receive a new GCA user ID to use moving forward.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you\u2019ve forgotten your GCA password: Use <\/strong>the \u201cForgot Password\u201d feature on the GCA login page.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you have a Travel Card and a P-card: <\/strong>\u00a0You currently have two (2) separate Works IDs.\u00a0 You will have the option to link the Works IDs together after completing your initial login for both accounts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Troubleshooting &amp; Next Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What if you don\u2019t receive the Welcome Email?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Double check your spam folder and deleted items just in case.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Navigate to Global Card Access &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/works.com\">Login page<\/a> , and use the \u201cForgot User ID\u201d feature with the email address associated with\u00a0 your Works accounts.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Test your login: Please be sure to test your login within 3-5 days of receiving the Welcome Email to ensure everything is working as expected.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bookmark your new login pag<\/strong>e: Update your bookmarks to the new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankofamerica.com\/globalcardaccess\">Bank of America Global Card Access Portal<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finding the Works Link:&nbsp; Once you log in to Global Card Access, the link to navigate to Works is located at the bottom right of the GCA page under&nbsp; the &#8220;Related Links&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have any questions or run into issues during this migration, please reach out directly to the <strong>CorpCard team at corpcard@vcu.edu<\/strong> for assistance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The way you access the BoA Works system will change on September 30, 2026. Bank of America is undergoing a platform transformation. All corporate card tools, including BoA Works, will soon be accessed exclusively from Bank of America\u2019s Global Card Access (GCA) website.&nbsp;&nbsp; What this means for you: You will first log into GCA, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2261,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[374,114,376],"class_list":["post-2260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-bank-of-america","tag-corpcard","tag-global-card-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2260"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2262,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2260\/revisions\/2262"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2257,"date":"2026-09-29T14:57:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2257"},"modified":"2026-09-29T14:57:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:57:22","slug":"navigating-vcu-travel-what-you-need-to-know-about-driving-your-personal-vehicle-plus-a-new-mileage-threshold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/navigating-vcu-travel-what-you-need-to-know-about-driving-your-personal-vehicle-plus-a-new-mileage-threshold\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating VCU Travel: What You Need to Know About Driving Your Personal Vehicle (Plus a New Mileage Threshold!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planning upcoming university travel and wondering whether you should take your own car or book a rental? Virginia Commonwealth University\u2019s Travel Standards and Guidelines are designed to ensure our travel is cost-effective, efficient, and compliant with state and federal regulations. To make your travel planning smoother, we are highlighting the core rules for using a personally-owned vehicle (POV) for university business\u2014along with a major update you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Big Update: The Mileage Threshold is Increasing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Previously, travelers were allowed to claim mileage as long as&nbsp; their total trip did not exceed 200 round-trip miles. <strong>We are happy to share that this threshold is changing from 200 miles to 250 round-trip miles- effective October 1, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the updated guidelines, using your personal vehicle is generally deemed cost-beneficial to the university if it meets any of the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The total vehicle mileage does not exceed 250 round-trip miles per trip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The travel involves frequent and\/or daily business-related trips within Virginia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constraints exist with standard rental options, such as limited hours of operation or excessive distance to the nearest car rental location.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your trip falls outside of these scenarios, you may be required to complete a cost comparison to justify why a personal vehicle is being chosen over a contracted rental car or alternative transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Standard Rates vs. Reduced Rates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When your personal vehicle use is officially considered cost-beneficial or necessary, VCU will reimburse you at the current Standard Mileage Rate established by the IRS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, if you choose to drive your own vehicle primarily for personal convenience or preference, you will instead be reimbursed at a reduced GSA rate. Common examples of personal preference include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Opting to drive to a destination so you have your own vehicle handy while combining business travel with personal time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choosing not to fly, take the train, or use a rental car due to personal reasons (unless an official medical accommodation is approved by VCU Equity and Access Services).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Declining available university-contracted rental car options because you prefer a different class of vehicle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important Reminders for Drivers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you hit the road, keep these operational rules in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Log Your Routes Correctly:<\/strong> To receive your reimbursement, you must track your trip using the Emburse mileage widget powered by Google Maps. This ensures your exact origination and destination addresses are documented in accordance with university policy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understand What is Covered:<\/strong> Your mileage reimbursement is all-inclusive. VCU covers standard mileage, tolls, and authorized parking. Out-of-pocket fuel purchases or increases in personal insurance premiums will not be reimbursed, as these are already factored into the per-mile rate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insurance Responsibility:<\/strong> When driving your own vehicle, you are responsible for maintaining adequate insurance coverage. In the event of an accident, your personal insurance policy serves as the primary coverage for any vehicle damages or passenger claims.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Timeline for Reimbursement<\/strong>: Be sure to submit your request for reimbursement within 30 days of completing your travel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have questions about your travel, first check with your department\u2019s fiscal approver for guidance.&nbsp; If you have questions about the travel standards, guidelines or policy, please feel free to contact, <a href=\"mailto:travel@vcu.edu\">travel@vcu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Safe travels, fellow Rams!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning upcoming university travel and wondering whether you should take your own car or book a rental? Virginia Commonwealth University\u2019s Travel Standards and Guidelines are designed to ensure our travel is cost-effective, efficient, and compliant with state and federal regulations. To make your travel planning smoother, we are highlighting the core rules for using a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[373,372,3],"class_list":["post-2257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-mileage-threshold","tag-personal-cars","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2257"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2259,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2257\/revisions\/2259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2251,"date":"2026-09-29T14:43:46","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2251"},"modified":"2026-09-29T14:43:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:43:48","slug":"keeping-purchase-orders-on-track-when-work-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/keeping-purchase-orders-on-track-when-work-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Purchase Orders on Track When Work Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When the Scope or Cost Changes, Update the PO First<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having a purchase order does not mean a vendor has unlimited authorization to continue working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The PO covers the approved scope and amount.<\/strong> If either changes, address the change before the vendor performs the additional work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A common example<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A PO is issued for <strong>$5,000<\/strong> of installation work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the project, the vendor determines that additional work is needed and provides a revised total of <strong>$7,500<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not simply tell the vendor to continue and plan to increase the PO when the invoice arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pause the additional work.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm the revised scope and cost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit the appropriate Change Request or other required documentation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wait for approval.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then authorize the vendor to proceed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why this matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work performed beyond the amount or scope of an existing PO can create the same problems as starting work without a PO:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Additional review and documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Invoice and payment delays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unreviewed pricing or contract terms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potential nonpayment of unauthorized additional work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compliance concerns when the issue is significant or recurring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When planning the original purchase, consider the <strong>full anticipated value<\/strong>, including foreseeable phases, renewals or additional work. That can reduce avoidable changes later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The simple rule<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If the work changes, update the authorization before the work continues.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need help?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For help with RealSource Change Requests, use the RealSource guidance or contact <a href=\"mailto:RealSource@vcu.edu\"><strong>RealSource@vcu.edu<\/strong><\/a><strong> or <\/strong>University Purchasing at <a href=\"mailto:purchasing@vcu.edu\"><strong>purchasing@vcu.edu<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related guidance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/do-i-need-a-change-request\/\">Do I Need a Change Request?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/how-to-make-common-po-changes-in-realsource\/\">How to Make Common PO Changes in RealSource<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/keeping-pos-clean-best-practices-in-realsource\/\">Keeping POs Clean: Best Practices in RealSource<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/timely-receiving-keep-payments-moving-and-capture-discounts\/\">Timely Receiving: Keep Payments Moving<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/how-to-check-invoice-payment-details-in-realsource\/\">How to Check Invoice and Payment Details in RealSource<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When the Scope or Cost Changes, Update the PO First. Having a purchase order does not mean a vendor has unlimited authorization to continue working. The PO covers the approved scope and amount. If either changes, address the change before the vendor performs the additional work. A common example A PO is issued for $5,000 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[21,371,56,4,5,370],"class_list":["post-2251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-accounts-payable","tag-cost-changes","tag-purchase-orders","tag-purchasing","tag-realsource","tag-scope-changes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2251"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2253,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251\/revisions\/2253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2234,"date":"2026-09-22T15:15:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T19:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2234"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:15:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:15:26","slug":"savoring-the-selection-america-to-go-vendor-tasting-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/savoring-the-selection-america-to-go-vendor-tasting-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Savoring the Selection: America To Go Vendor Tasting Event"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finding the right catering for your next department meeting or campus event just got much easier\u2014and a lot more delicious. With the launch of our new America To Go e-catalog, VCU faculty and staff now have streamlined access to a diverse network of approved local restaurants and caterers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To celebrate this new partnership and help you discover your new favorite caterer, VCU Procurement Services is hosting a free vendor tasting event!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Experience the E-Catalog in Person<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While browsing the new e-catalog is the best way to see the full scope of what America To Go has to offer, nothing beats trying the food firsthand. This tasting event brings our vendor partners directly to you. It&#8217;s a fantastic opportunity to sample a variety of menus, meet the caterers, and learn exactly how the America To Go platform can simplify your ordering process while keeping your department fully within university purchasing guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Event Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please join us for an afternoon of great food and networking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Date: Monday, October 5th<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Time: 2:00 PM \u2013 3:15 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Location: Monroe Park Campus, Student Commons &#8211; Virginia Rooms<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What to Expect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attendees will enjoy free food samplings from a wide array of our America To Go vendor partners. Whether you are planning a small team lunch, a large departmental conference, or a student event, this tasting will give you a flavorful preview of the high-quality options now available at your fingertips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next time you need to place a catering order, you\u2019ll have firsthand experience with the menus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Space is limited. Register early to secure your spot at the America To Go Vendor Showcase. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this new catering experience with the VCU community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click the link below to RSVP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdBZWEVaFI67nkAHuw6Gwg5WVeLFJM1o5MLIiNJutW5RTV9JA\/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=113738040551684981291\">America To Go Vendor Showcase: Event Registration Form &#8211; October 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding the right catering for your next department meeting or campus event just got much easier\u2014and a lot more delicious. With the launch of our new America To Go e-catalog, VCU faculty and staff now have streamlined access to a diverse network of approved local restaurants and caterers. To celebrate this new partnership and help [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2236,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[215,117,328,361],"class_list":["post-2234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-america-to-go","tag-catering","tag-e-catalog","tag-vendor-showcase"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2234"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2237,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234\/revisions\/2237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2247,"date":"2026-09-22T15:15:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T19:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2247"},"modified":"2026-09-22T15:15:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T19:15:04","slug":"work-started-without-a-po-heres-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/work-started-without-a-po-heres-what-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Work Started Without a PO? Here\u2019s What to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If goods and\/or services have already been ordered or a vendor has started work without the required purchase order, <strong>contact Procurement Services as soon as you recognize the issue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not wait until the invoice arrives to address it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What happens next?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When VCU has committed to the delivery and acceptance of goods and services prior to the appropriate purchasing process being completed, Procurement Services may need to determine whether and how the purchase can be addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the circumstances:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Additional documentation and review may be required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Payment may be delayed or may not be approved.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Procurement may need to review pricing, terms, competition or other requirements after the commitment has already been made.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An unauthorized commitment may create <strong>personal financial responsibility for the individual who made the commitment<\/strong>, depending on the circumstances and applicable requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serious noncompliance or recurring issues may require a <strong>corrective action plan<\/strong> explaining what occurred and how the department will prevent it from happening again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Significant or repeated issues may be escalated for additional review.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why can payment be a problem?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A vendor beginning work does not, by itself, create an authorized VCU purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The purchasing process is intended to establish VCU\u2019s commitment <strong>before<\/strong> goods or services are provided.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What should you do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contact Procurement Services promptly and provide the facts.<\/strong> The earlier the issue is identified, the more opportunity there is to determine the appropriate path forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need help?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact <strong>University Purchasing at purchasing@vcu.edu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related guidance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/procurement.vcu.edu\/i-want-to\/make-a-purchase\/make-a-purchase-of-10000-or-less\/\">Make a Purchase of $10,000 or Less<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/procurement.vcu.edu\/i-want-to\/make-a-purchase\/make-a-purchase-over-10000\/\">Make a Purchase over $10,000<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/procurement.vcu.edu\/i-want-to\/make-a-purchase\/understand-the-procurement-methods\/\">Procurement Methods<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/before-signing-a-vendor-document\/\">Before Signing a Vendor Document<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/link-the-contract-before-submitting-your-realsource-requisition\/\">Link the Contract and Protect the Deal in RealSource<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If goods and\/or services have already been ordered or a vendor has started work without the required purchase order, contact Procurement Services as soon as you recognize the issue. Do not wait until the invoice arrives to address it. What happens next? When VCU has committed to the delivery and acceptance of goods and services [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2249,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[76,4,5,60],"class_list":["post-2247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-invoices","tag-purchasing","tag-realsource","tag-vendors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2247"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2250,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247\/revisions\/2250"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2244,"date":"2026-09-22T15:10:44","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T19:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2244"},"modified":"2026-09-22T15:10:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T19:10:46","slug":"fy27-gsa-per-diem-rates-take-effect-october-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/fy27-gsa-per-diem-rates-take-effect-october-1\/","title":{"rendered":"FY27 GSA Per Diem Rates Take Effect October 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beginning <strong>October 1, 2026<\/strong>, the U.S. General Services Administration\u2019s <strong>FY2027 per diem rates<\/strong> will take effect, replacing the current FY2026 rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VCU follows the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsa.gov\/travel?topnav=travel\">GSA<\/a> per diem schedule for university travel reimbursement and business meal purposes. For most travelers, the transition will be seamless, but there are a few rate changes to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s Changing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Location Type<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Lodging<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Meals &amp; Incidentals (M&amp;IE)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Richmond (23298)<\/td><td>$161\/night, up from $157<\/td><td>$80\/day, unchanged<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Standard CONUS*<\/td><td>$113\/night, up from $110<\/td><td>$68\/day, unchanged<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Other locations<\/td><td>Varies by destination<\/td><td>Varies by destination<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travelers should continue to check the applicable rate for their destination when planning university travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Traveling Outside the Contiguous United States?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travel outside the lower 48 states follows a different per diem structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories<\/strong> use rates established by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travel.dod.mil\/\">U.S. Department of Defense<\/a>. Travelers can use the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travel.dod.mil\/Travel-Transportation-Rates\/Per-Diem\/Per-Diem-Rate-Lookup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Defense Travel Management Office Per Diem Rate Lookup<\/a><\/strong> to determine the applicable rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>International destinations<\/strong> use per diem rates established by the U.S. Department of State. Rates can be found through the <a href=\"https:\/\/allowances.state.gov\/web920\/per_diem.asp\"><strong>State Department Foreign Per Diem Rates Portal<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does This Mean for VCU Travelers?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no additional action required for travelers or approvers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For travel dates on or after <strong>October 1, 2026<\/strong>, Emburse Enterprise will automatically apply the updated FY2027 rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For trips that cross the fiscal year boundary, the system will calculate the appropriate rate by travel date. For example, a trip beginning September 29 and ending October 3 will use FY2026 rates for eligible dates before October 1 and FY2027 rates beginning October 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travelers are encouraged to review the applicable per diem rate when planning upcoming trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Questions about how the new rates apply to your travel? Contact the <strong>VCU Travel &amp; Expense team <\/strong>at<strong> <\/strong>travel@vcu.edu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>*Standard CONUS applies to locations that do not have a specific GSA-established rate.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beginning October 1, 2026, the U.S. General Services Administration\u2019s FY2027 per diem rates will take effect, replacing the current FY2026 rates. VCU follows the GSA per diem schedule for university travel reimbursement and business meal purposes. For most travelers, the transition will be seamless, but there are a few rate changes to be aware of. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2246,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158,1],"tags":[367,366,353],"class_list":["post-2244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","category-uncategorized","tag-conus","tag-gsa-rates","tag-per-diem"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2244"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2245,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2244\/revisions\/2245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2241,"date":"2026-09-22T15:00:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T19:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2241"},"modified":"2026-09-22T15:00:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T19:00:08","slug":"european-union-eu-delays-border-checks-what-the-new-pauses-mean-for-your-next-trip-to-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/european-union-eu-delays-border-checks-what-the-new-pauses-mean-for-your-next-trip-to-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"European Union (EU) Delays Border Checks: What the New Pauses Mean for Your Next Trip to Europe\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the official September 6 grace period coming to an end, the European Union has hit the brakes on its massive digital Entry\/Exit System (EES). Facing imminent travel chaos, system crashes, and furious pushback from the airline industry, European authorities have quietly granted a reprieve to nine Schengen countries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Which Countries Are Delaying Controls?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nine key European nations have informed the European Commission that they will not fully apply the biometric border controls until ongoing technical problems are resolved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>France<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Germany<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Italy<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Netherlands<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Belgium<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Greece<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Portugal<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Switzerland<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Malta<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brussels has informally accepted their decision to maintain &#8220;border fluidity,&#8221; leaving the rollout without a fixed enforcement deadline.&nbsp; Major international transit points like Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam are explicitly pausing full enforcement to avoid catastrophic passenger backups.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What This Means for Travelers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This sudden pause changes how you cross European borders. If you hold a United States passport,there are several critical shifts:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manual Passport Stamps Return as Needed:<\/strong> When EES technology stalls or queues build up, border guards will continue falling back on traditional passport stamping to keep lines moving.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inconsistent Experience Across Borders:<\/strong> Because controls are being applied flexibly, non-EU travelers (including UK citizens) may encounter full biometric checks at some ports and relaxed, manual checks at others. So prepare for inconsistent experiences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No Fixed Timeline:<\/strong> With no new deadline currently set, enforcement will depend on how quickly technical bugs can be fixed and systems stabilized.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why the Digital System Crashed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EES is designed to replace manual passport stamps with digital registration\u2014including fingerprints and facial scans\u2014for non-EU travelers entering the 29-country Schengen area. However, the rollout has faced severe operational hurdles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Technical Glitches:<\/strong> Border posts have struggled with software bugs, particularly when uploading biometric scans to the central EU database or retrieving them later. The central database experienced regular overloads.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Longer Wait Times:<\/strong> System failures and understaffed border desks caused airport queues to double at major hubs (like Frankfurt) during peak travel periods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Industry Pressure:<\/strong> Major airlines and travel operators\u2014including Eurostar, Ryanair, and International Air Transport Association (IATA)\u2014pushed back against strict enforcement, warning of widespread travel chaos. Ryanair has even called for an extension until at least April 2027 so that proper software stabilization can take place.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While digital borders remain the ultimate goal for Brussels and other hubs, passenger flow is the current priority. Protect your travel plans with this quick checklist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Print physical copies of your flight confirmations and accommodations in case digital airport networks go offline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check live airport wait times online before heading to the terminal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bookmark the <a href=\"https:\/\/etias.com\/what-is-etias\">European Travel Information and Authorization System<\/a> (ETIAS) page to track new deadline announcements from the European Commission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re traveling to Europe soon, expect potential variations in how border checks are handled, but rest assured that authorities are actively relaxing rules to prevent severe delays.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the official September 6 grace period coming to an end, the European Union has hit the brakes on its massive digital Entry\/Exit System (EES). Facing imminent travel chaos, system crashes, and furious pushback from the airline industry, European authorities have quietly granted a reprieve to nine Schengen countries.&nbsp; Which Countries Are Delaying Controls? Nine [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2242,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[364,363,3,365],"class_list":["post-2241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-delays","tag-eu","tag-travel","tag-travel-delay"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2241"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2243,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241\/revisions\/2243"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2238,"date":"2026-09-22T14:52:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/?p=2238"},"modified":"2026-09-22T14:52:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:52:30","slug":"need-a-ride-enterprise-offers-free-pickup-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/need-a-ride-enterprise-offers-free-pickup-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Need a Ride? Enterprise Offers Free Pickup Service!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve ever needed to rent a car locally you know the first logistical hurdle: <em>How do I actually get to the rental lot?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you book a pricey rideshare or haggle with a friend for a ride,&nbsp; remember Enterprise\u2019s long-standing signature perk.: They will pick you up at no extra cost!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How the Pickup Service Works<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enterprise built much of its reputation on the famous promise, <em>&#8220;We\u2019ll Pick You Up!&#8221;<\/em>\u2014and some local branches (non-airport locations) still honor this service to make your rental completely&nbsp; seamless. Those branches that provide this service typically offer free pickup within a <strong>5 to 10 minute drive<\/strong> (roughly 3 to 5 miles) of the branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Book your car (online, through CTP, or via the app)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call the local office directly to arrange a pickup time.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A representative will drive a rental car to your home or office, pick you up, and drive you back to the branch to finalize your paperwork.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In many cases, if you return the car to the same non-airport location, they can also give you a lift back home once you drop off the keys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why You Should Use It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond saving money on an Uber or Lyft, there is a practical reason to take advantage of this service: parking limitations and it\u2019s 100% free..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike massive airport hubs with expansive multi-story garages, local neighborhood Enterprise offices operate on smaller footprints. Most neighborhood branches do not have designated space for customers to leave personal vehicles parked on site during their rental period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using their pickup service solves both problems at once: you keep your personal car safely in your driveway, and you get to the rental office without spending a dime on transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Few Quick Tips Before You Book<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>24 Hour Notice Required: Pickup service is <\/strong><strong>not<\/strong><strong> automatically triggered by an online booking. You must call your specific branch <\/strong><strong>at least 24 hours in advance<\/strong><strong> to coordinate.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Airport Locations Excluded:<\/strong> This service is strictly for local, non-airport branches. Airport locations do not offer door-to-door pickups due to high volume and shuttle operations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Confirm the Distance:<\/strong> If you live near the edge of their service zone, double-check with the branch manager to ensure your address falls within their pickup radius.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operating Hours<\/strong>: Pickups are strictly available during standard local branch business hours. Most neighborhood offices have limited hours on weekends, so plan your weekday or Saturday morning timing carefully.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By letting Enterprise handle the logistics, you save time and&nbsp; money while skipping the rideshare hassle entirely. Ready to experience the ultimate curbside convenience? Head over to Enterprise today, secure your vehicle, and remember to call your local branch to lock in your free ride. Your journey starts at your front door!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve ever needed to rent a car locally you know the first logistical hurdle: How do I actually get to the rental lot? Before you book a pricey rideshare or haggle with a friend for a ride,&nbsp; remember Enterprise\u2019s long-standing signature perk.: They will pick you up at no extra cost!! How the Pickup [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2024,"featured_media":2239,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[100,362,198,3],"class_list":["post-2238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-procurement-services","tag-enterprise","tag-pick-up-service","tag-rental-cars","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2238"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2240,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2238\/revisions\/2240"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/procurement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]