INFORMATION FOR SUPPLIERS
Procurement Services is committed to helping all suppliers have a mutually beneficial business relationship with the University of Michigan. We recommend that you call and schedule an appointment prior to visiting any Procurement office. Our Procurement staff will be better prepared to meet with you and discuss business opportunities.
Procurement Services assists departments by identifying qualified bidders, preparing competitive bid documents, coordinating the bid process, and analyzing supplier bid responses. If you are contacted directly by a faculty or staff member, please contact the appropriate Procurement team. This will ensure that the proper University of Michigan policies and procedures are followed and will save you time and effort.
The Procurement staffs assist prospective suppliers by identifying potential opportunities, sharing supplier information with departments, and helping suppliers understand University of Michigan policies and bidding procedures. Buying teams also assist suppliers in resolving problems regarding the procurement process.
Procurement Authority
Procurement Services is the sole agency authorized to make commitments against University of Michigan accounts for the procurement of goods and services. Procurement Services practices developing supplier diversity in the discharge of the procurement function (University of Michigan Standard Practice Guide, Procurement Section, 507.01).
Quotations & Bids
It is University of Michigan policy to solicit bids for procuring goods and services exceeding $5,000. Decisions in awarding purchase orders are based on a supplier's compliance with University of Michigan specifications, price, delivery, service, terms and conditions, locations or other relevant factors.
For procurement of goods and services under $5,000, purchasing authority has been delegated to the University of Michigan departments. Departments may make one time purchases under $5,000 per transaction. However, departments have not been delegated signature authority and do not have the authority to sign agreements. Many departments have University of Michigan credit cards for purchases they are authorized to make independent of Procurement Services.
Terms and Conditions for Purchases
Unless otherwise specified in an agreement mutually signed by authorized signers, the following Basic Terms and Conditions will be in effect for all purchases:
HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Suppliers doing work for the University of Michigan who have access to our patients’ protected health information (PHI) are considered a business associate and are required to complete a Business Associate agreement with the University of Michigan. For more information regarding HIPAA Compliance, please visit our HIPAA section.
Suppliers that Provide Healthcare Services
Suppliers doing business with University schools, colleges, or other units that provide healthcare services are required to comply with federal and state laws designed to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse and with related University policies, and to promptly notify appropriate University officials via the U-M Compliance Hotline with any compliance-related concerns. Detailed information about federal and state false claims laws, and University policies with which suppliers are expected to comply (including policies on conflict of interest disclosure and management, patient privacy, supplier/staff interactions, and appropriate conduct), together with related materials, are posted on the University of Michigan Health System Vendor Information web page, which may be updated from time to time. Questions about the University's health care compliance policies may be directed to the UMHS Chief Compliance Officer at 734-615-4400 or by mail at 300 North Ingalls, Room 4C27, SPC 5434, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5434.
Supplier Code of Conduct
The ideal University-supplier relationship is in the nature of a partnership, seeking mutually agreeable and important goals. The University of Michigan has a longstanding commitment to sound, ethical and socially responsible practices. To ensure that such practices are codified for the University of Michigan's suppliers, the President’s Task Force on Purchasing Ethics and Policies has developed the University of Michigan Vendor Code of Conduct.
New Supplier Registration
To register as a potential supplier please complete the form at the following web location:
http://mbiz.bf.umich.edu/m-connect/vendor_login.cfm
After registering, your firm is added to a database used by procurement agents when compiling bid lists or providing potential supplier names to University departments. Registering as a supplier with the University does not guarantee that you will receive bid requests or prequalify you as a supplier. Some contracts are long-term and may not expire for several years. In addition, there may be many suppliers registered that provide products and services similar to yours. It is not always practical to include all registered suppliers for a particular bid. Should the interest or the need for your company’s products or services present itself, you will be contacted by a procurement agent.
MConnect
The MConnect Program promotes supplier participation that is reflective of the diverse business community, and of the University of Michigan's desire to procure environmentally friendly products, while remaining focused on socially responsible purchasing methodologies.
Parking
Campus maps, showing various parking and building locations, are available from U/M Parking Services.
A WORD OF CAUTION: The parking authorities at all University campuses are prompt in issuing tickets for expired meters or illegally parked cars. Procurement Services does not have access to parking permits for suppliers.
|
