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Purchasing  
 

 

Welcome to Purchasing!
 
FOREWORD
 

TO: The Faculty, Academic Professionals, Administrators and Staff


The primary responsibility of the University of Arizona Procurement and Contracting Services Department is described below:

  • To serve the faculty, academic professionals, administrators and staff by facilitating the timely acquisition of needed goods and services.
  • To provide initiative and leadership in procurement which maximizes the value of university expenditures, leverages purchases, broadens relationships with suppliers via strategic alliances, and creates new sources of revenue.
  • To identify ways to improve the acquisition process through procedural enhancements while at the same time assuring compliance with the ABOR University Procurement Code.

The University’s Purchasing Policies are designed to meet the requirements of the Arizona Board of Regents, general university regulations, specified requirements of various agencies from whom the University secures funds, and good business practices. These policies contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of services rendered by the Procurement and Contracting Services Department. To assist in this effort I am requesting that those in leadership/supervisory positions assure that these policies are read, understood, and complied with by all appropriate University employees under their supervision.

            Robert N. Shelton

President

 
INTRODUCTION
 

The function of the Purchasing Department is to administer procurement for all departments in accordance with responsibility and authority delegated by the University's President.

The Director and his staff are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous, ethical, and professional manner; to maintain good relations with faculty and staff; to regard each transaction on its own merits and to promote fair, ethical, and legal trade practices.

These general policies were developed to accomplish the procurement processes for the University. While the policies are somewhat detailed, it does not cover all eventualities. Exceptions, not governed by ABOR Policy, State or Federal law, rules, or regulations, may be granted to departments by written authorization from the Director. The exceptions will be worked out as circumstances and good business practices warrant.

Kirk Ketcham, C.P.M.

Director

Procurement and Contracting Services

University Services Annex, Bldg. 300A

Tucson, AZ 85721

 
CODE OF ETHICS
 

The nature of purchasing functions makes it critical that all players in the process remain independent, free of obligation or suspicion, and completely fair and impartial.  Maintaining the integrity and credibility of a purchasing program requires a clear set of guidelines, rules and responsibilities to govern the behavior of purchasing employees.  Credibility and public confidence are vital throughout the purchasing and contracting system. Any erosion of honesty, integrity or openness tends to be more injurious to purchasing than to most other public programs. The shadow of doubt can be as harmful as the conduct itself. It is with this in mind that the following code is set forth.  This document defines the ethical standards of conduct required of the University of Arizona Procurement and Contracting Services employees, suppliers, potential suppliers and employees of other agencies when acting under the authority delegated by the University of Arizona.

  • To give first consideration to the objectives and policies of the University.
  • To purchase without prejudice, seeking to obtain maximum value for each dollar expended on behalf of the University.
  • To conduct ourselves with fairness and dignity and to demand honesty and truth in the purchasing process.
  • Demand honesty in sales representation whether offered through the medium of a verbal or written statement, an advertisement, or a sample of the product.
  • Strive to continually increase competition in supplier selection and endeavor to prevent any collusive activities among suppliers. Avoid soliciting or accepting money, loans, credits and acceptance of gifts, entertainment, favors, or services from present or potential suppliers that might influence, or appear to influence supply management decisions.
  • Handle confidential or proprietary information with due care and proper consideration. Receive consent of originator of confidential information or proprietary ideas and designs before using them for competitive purchasing purposes.
  • To honor our obligations and require that obligations to the University be honored.
  • Promote positive supplier relations through courtesy and impartiality. Conduct business with potential and current suppliers in an atmosphere of good faith, devoid of intentional misrepresentation.
  • To grant all competitive suppliers equal consideration insofar as state or federal statute and institutional policy permit.
  • Foster fair, ethical and legal trade practices.
  • Encourage support of small, disadvantaged and minority-owned business whenever possible.
  • Make every reasonable effort to negotiate an equitable and mutually agreeable settlement of any controversy with suppliers; and/or be willing to submit any major controversies to arbitration or other third party review, insofar as to the established policies of my institution permit.
  • Cooperate with trade, industry, professional associations, governmental and private agencies for the purposes of promoting and developing sound business practices.
LOCATION & BUSINESS HOURS
Purchasing is located in the University Services Annex Building on the 5th Floor at the corner of 6th St. and Main. Our business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., (Closed during lunch from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.)

Attachments may be sent to us via Campus Mail:
(Please include the dPR on the Attachment)
Attn: Purchasing
University Services Annex, 5th Floor
Box 210300a

OR

via Fax:
(520) 626-8008

(OLR/dPR Attachments "ONLY")

OR

via U.S. Mailing Address:
University Services Annex, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 210300a
Tucson, AZ 85721-300a

OR

via Fed Ex or other Carrier Shipping Address:
220 W. 6th St., 5th Floor
Tucson, AZ 85701
(Please do not use our physical address for regular U.S. Mail)

LINKS

Corporate Travel Card
Independent Contractor Services Information

Independent Contractor Form (.pdf -version 6.02 or greater of Adobe's Acrobat Reader)
Moving Agreements
Purchasing Card
Small Dollar Direct Purchase Procedures
Temporary Employment Services
Tri-University Furniture Contract
University of Arizona is not tax exempt

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   Questions about these web pages last updated January 29th, 2009