eProcurement New Item Request - Not allowing Item ID NEXT

When creating a special request the requester has the option to select the Request New Item checkbox. Doing so will trigger a worklist notification to a buyer. When the buyer clicks the link they are shown the e-Procurement New Item Request page (image attached). On this page Item ID is a required field, and the magnifying glass returns only already existing items. If I input NEXT, leave the field blank, or type in an item ID that does not exist it is highlighted red and declared invalid.

PeopleBooks states "Select this check box to request that the item be added to the item master". Therefor there would not be an existing item ID on the item master because the item is not present there. Can someone provide some insight on how they use this functionality or if I'm missing something.