Information Technology (IT) Acquisition Review (ITAR)

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to using accessible and secure resources and tools. The Chancellor's Office policy requires that we acquire Information Technology (IT) products that meet Section 508 accessibility requirements and store our data securely. Accessibility barriers create unequal opportunities and risks if anyone (student, faculty, staff, the public) is unable to use them.

An ITAR request form is required when you’re acquiring or renewing any information technology hardware products and software services (both maintenance and contract renewals) that people will interact with (even if it’s free) unless it’s on the pre-approved list or a standard, supported computer device listed at Computer Device and Printer Purchases for Staff and Faculty page.

Please Note:

    • Monthly software and cloud-based subscriptions require annual review/renewal. Approved multi-year software licensing agreements do not require annual ITAR review/renewal.
    • Software requests for Labs and Smart Classrooms should use the Lab & Smart Classroom Software Request form.
    • If you would like to purchase a computer device and/or printer for staff and/or faculty use in an office, lab, or research facility, for supported, standard models, pricing, and to request a quote, please visit the Computer Device and Printer Purchases for Staff and Faculty page.
    • The department for which you are buying is responsible for budgeting the purchase. ITS does not fund Department purchases and does not place orders for departments. The only caveats to this is if ITS is involved in a university-wide technology or software licensing project.


Completing the ITAR process

  1. If your item is on the pre-approved list, please proceed with your acquisition.
  2. For all other items, complete and submit the form. (The requestor should be the person who can answer questions about the technology being reviewed.)

    ITAR Request Form (SPF ONLY) 
  3. Behind the scenes:
    • Accessibility reviews are completed by the Accessible Technology Team.
    • Security reviews are completed by the Information Security Team.
    • Hardware and software system standard reviews are completed by the Customer Care Team.
  4. Watch for questions via email; these must be answered for the review to proceed.
  5. You’ll be notified via email once the review process is complete. If approved, please include quotes and any other documentation from the review when submitting your purchase order to Contracts & Procurement. If your ITAR is denied, we’ll work with you to find an alternate solution.

The amount of time the review takes will depend on the complexity of the acquisition. However, please estimate between 2 and 6 weeks for approval. This time is required to allow us to obtain documentation from the vendors to understand how they implemented security protocols and what accessibility standards they meet from the federal WCAG 2.0 standards. The time also includes meeting with requestors to review and test the products, and possibly meeting with the vendors when accessibility standards are not met to identify a roadmap for remediation.  

Questions or feedback? Submit a Technology Help Desk ticket.