Preferred Supplier Spotlight: Grainger

University-wide preferred suppliers are suppliers that have been awarded a contract with the University through a University public competitive bid or a bid conducted by a purchasing consortium. At present, Ohio University Procurement has established contracts with 82 university-wide preferred suppliers for various goods and services. For a complete list of university preferred suppliers, please see our preferred suppliers webpage. Given these contracts were established by competitive means, they can be utilized at any spend level without the need for a competitive event, making the procurement process quick and easy with them.

One of our university-wide preferred supplier contracts is with Grainger. Grainger is an industry leader supplying maintenance, repair, and operational (MRO) needs, equipment, and tools. They are a U.S. company headquartered in Lake Forest, IL (north of Chicago, IL). Grainger offers more than 1.7 million products in over 32 MRO categories with over

$1.3B in U.S. inventory, 14 distribution centers, and 250 U.S. branch locations to help ensure customers quickly get what they need.

The Grainger catalog is easy to use, with MRO product categories available on the homepage. Some of the most common categories consist of:

• Electrical supplies
• Safety and security equipment
• HVAC supplies
• Plumbing equipment and supplies
• Maintenance supplies
• Cleaning supplies
• Hand tools, power tools, and hardware

The University utilizes the E&I consortium contract with Grainger, with an initial term expiring December 31, 2024, and with a five-year renewal option, which could extend the contract to December 31, 2029. This contract features:

• Net30 days payment terms,
• No minimum order quantities,
• Discounts across Grainger’s entire catalog, and
• Shipping charges included in the purchase price (no additional charge) with next day delivery in most cases. Next day shipping with no additional charge exceptions may apply with special handling requirements, hazmat items, and oversized items.

Grainger also honors returns on this contract. Returns for Grainger products must be made within one year of the purchase date, unless otherwise indicated, if the items are in original packaging, unused, undamaged, and in saleable condition. Returns can be initiated by anyone from the University by calling 1-800-GRAINGER (472-4643).

The contract includes a warranty of products against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for up to one year from purchase date. Warranty claims are initiated by anyone from the University by calling our Grainger representative, Scott Martin, at 937-620-5674.

Procurement has established a punchout catalog within BobcatBUY with Grainger. You can access the catalog in BobcatBUY by clicking on the GRAINGER icon on the home screen.

Questions? Contact financecustomercare@ohio.edu.