University Procurement Services Aids in Battle Against COVID-19
University Procurement Services participated in an innovative, Rutgers-wide coalition to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical device parts for the university’s frontline health care workers currently combating COVID-19. This endeavor, known as the RU 3D PPE project, launched on March 26 and has produced laser-cut face shields and 3D-printed headbands through a network of 40 3D printers at Rutgers facilities.
Procurement was instrumental in securing pro bono project management services from Accenture. J. Michael Gower and Nimish Patel connected with Jenna LaPietra, a Rutgers alumna and executive at Accenture, to cultivate this partnership and spark the synergy between university leadership, University Procurement Services, Rutgers Corporate Engagement Center, and the RU 3D PPE team.
University Procurement Services also provided input on sourcing materials and the universitywide demand for face shields based on the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Procurement work group that was established. Throughout the pandemic, Strategic Sourcing has supported the needs of essential personal protective equipment. The team, led by Sue Panacek, Director of Strategic Sourcing, leveraged existing supplier relationships and vetted new suppliers as needed.
The Campus Liaison for Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) and the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED), was the primary sourcing lead to obtain necessary materials required for 3D printing such as acrylic sheets, adhesives, filament, resin, and more. Alma Ortiz, Supplier Relationship Manager, managed the medical and research supplier relationships; Emily Ijalana, Supplier Relationship Manager, performed sourcing data analytics; and Usha Patel, Sourcing Category Lead, vetted new suppliers to expand their source of supply.
The team immediately took action to connect with existing suppliers, develop routine checkpoints to review suppliers’ order status, and provide supply chain updates and alternate supply options. A dedicated supply chain lead email address was established to funnel new suppliers for vetting and sourcing. The team also developed a master tracker to monitor all orders, quantities, and deliveries, as well as a file that allowed more than 20 units across the university to submit their demand and on-hand inventory counts for fulfillment.
The Strategic Sourcing team partnered with Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety (REHS), Institutional Planning and Operations, RBHS, and other units to develop a cohesive supply chain, which enabled the essential PPE to reach the units that urgently required them. They managed the internal distribution of PPE based on need exerted significant effort managing all of the PPE assets. The team’s perseverance, customer-centric approach, and dedication to the university mission and safety of everyone involved has resulted in Rutgers meeting its PPE needs.
