Our Partnership with Crimson Brand Partners
Colleagues,
Following the announcement of the university’s new partnership with University of Utah Growth Capital Partners—and its working relationship with Crimson Brand Partners (CBP)—we want to outline what this means in practical terms for those of you who initiate and manage purchases on behalf of your departments.
For certain procurements—generally larger or university‑wide solicitations—the university will engage CBP as part of the process. CBP may participate across multiple stages of a solicitation, including helping to shape the scope of work, contributing to evaluation criteria, serving on evaluation committees, and identifying sponsorship opportunities that can bring added value to the university. Their involvement is intended to strengthen outcomes and expand opportunities that support our shared mission.
It is equally important to emphasize what does not change. The Purchasing Department continues to lead every procurement. All solicitations will continue to follow the Utah Procurement Code and university policy; competition and fairness to all vendors remain fully preserved; and final decisions rest solely with the university. CBP is a strategic and valued partner in the process—not a replacement for it.
We do ask you to plan for potential timing impacts. As we integrate a new partner and refine a new workflow, some solicitations may take longer than they have in the past, particularly during these early months. The most helpful step you can take is to engage Purchasing early. Please bring us your anticipated procurements and upcoming needs as far in advance as possible so we can plan appropriately, coordinate with CBP where needed, and keep your projects on schedule.
This partnership is designed to benefit the entire university by generating resources that sustain the work we all care about. Your early engagement enables us to capture that value while minimizing disruption. We are excited about the opportunities this creates and are committed to supporting you throughout the transition.
If you have a procurement on the horizon or would simply like to discuss how this may affect your plans, please reach out to zachary.christensen@admin.utah.edu or mike.smith@admin.utah.edu. As additional information becomes available, we will continue to communicate with campus. We welcome the conversation and look forward to partnering with you.