Todd Adams

Todd Adams is the Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the UC San Diego campus. With nearly 30 years of supply chain experience across both commercial industry and higher education, his department is responsible for Strategic Sourcing, Business Contracts, Small/Disadvantaged Business, Sustainability, Strategic Procurement, and Core Bio Services. These areas represent over $700M in annual spend for the campus.

Todd is a native of Southern California and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of San Diego.    

Message from Todd Adams, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer

In uncertain times, we have a unique opportunity to showcase our value, resilience, and innovation. The recent discussions surrounding the proposed 15% indirect cost rate cap at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have raised concerns across the higher education research community. If implemented, this cap could significantly impact the University of California system’s Facilities and Administrative (F&A) funding, affecting hundreds of millions of dollars that support research infrastructure. However, rather than seeing this solely as a challenge, we at IPPS also view it as an opportunity - one that allows us to further highlight the costs of conducting high-quality research while demonstrating our ability to innovate and adapt.

At IPPS, we have always been at the forefront of administrative innovation at UC San Diego, offering solutions that turn challenges into opportunities. We are constantly evolving to provide smarter, more efficient services that support the university’s mission, even amidst uncertainty. 

As we navigate shifting research funding landscapes, the role of our supply chain in ensuring financial sustainability and operational efficiency has never been more critical. By refining our processes and embracing innovative solutions, we can help ensure that UC San Diego continues to lead in research, education, and economic growth. 

The strength of this institution lies in its people - your dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence make all the difference. Let’s continue to embrace challenges as opportunities, reinforcing UC San Diego’s reputation for collaboration, innovation, and progress.