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> MSU Policy and Procedures  > Procurement Policy and Procedures
400.00 General Information

SECTION CONTENTS

 410.00     Definitions

 420.00     Unauthorized Purchases
 430.00     Ratification of Unauthorized Purchases
 435.00     Purchasing Card

 440.00     Personal Gifts to be Declined

 450.00     Conflict of Interest

 460.00     Purchases Near Close of Fiscal Year

 470.00     Trial or Demonstration Equipment

 


410.00   Definitions

"Contract" means a written agreement between two or more parties that are authorized to legally bind each party to provide goods or services in exchange for consideration.  Common contracts issued by MSU include Departmental Purchase Orders (DPO's), Purchase Orders (PO's), Contracted Services Agreement's (CSA's), and contracts issued as a result of the "Request for Proposal" process.

"Exigency purchase", means a purchase made without following purchasing procedures due to a sudden and unexpected happening or unforeseen occurrence/condition, which requires immediate action.  An exigency purchase is commonly referred to as an Emergency Purchase.

"Ratification" means the act of approving an unauthorized commitment by an official who has the authority to do so.      

"Services" means the furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a contractor. Services does not include employment agreements or collective bargaining agreements, the provision of human services administered by the department of public health and human services, or services related to construction contracts.

"Supplies" means all property except as otherwise provided by law, including but not limited to equipment, materials, printing, and commodities, and excluding land or any interest in land.

"Unauthorized commitment" means an agreement that is not binding solely because the Department representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into that agreement on behalf of the University or the Department failed to comply with Purchasing Procedures. 
          

For further definition, please refer to Appendix R "Glossary of Terms" and Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 18-4-123 located at:
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/mca/18/4/18-4-123.htm.

420.00 Unauthorized Purchases

Departments are responsible for complying with the purchasing procedures established herein.  Departments are liable for purchases that are made that are not compliant with purchasing regulations, policies, and procedures. Departments will be held accountable for improper handling of purchases.  At the discretion of the MSU-Bozeman Director of Purchasing, the delegation authority established herein may be reduced, suspended or revoked for failure to adhere to State laws, rules, and purchasing procedures.    

PURCHASES FOR PERSONAL USE ARE NOT ALLOWED.

430.00 Ratification of Unauthorized Purchases  

The University has implemented a "Ratification" process for unauthorized purchases.  The MSU-PD will contact the department to seek information regarding the unauthorized commitment.  The department must submit information as requested by the MSU-PD.  Upon receipt, the MSU-PD will review the information and make a determination to ratify the unauthorized commitment, if deemed in the best interest of the University.    

The Director of Purchasing at MSU-Bozeman is designated as the ratifying official and will seek approval of the ratification from the Controller.  Upon approval, the Director of Purchasing will ratify the unauthorized commitment. The authority may be exercised only when -    

 

  1. Supplies or services have been provided to and accepted by the University, or the University has obtained or will obtain a benefit resulting from performance of the unauthorized commitment;

  2. The ratifying official has the authority to enter into a contractual commitment;

  3. The resulting contract would otherwise have been proper if made by an appropriate Procurement Official or designated representative;

  4. The Controller has authorized payment after seeking guidance from MSU Legal Counsel, as needed, to ensure compliance with State of Montana Laws;

  5. Funds are available and were available at the time the unauthorized commitment was made; and

  6. The ratification is in accordance with the limitations prescribed in the Procurement Delegation Agreement between the SPB and the MSU-Bozeman Purchasing Department.
                      
                

440.00 Personal Gifts to be Declined

Personal gifts or gratuities that might influence or give the appearance of influencing the requisition or purchase of material(s) must be declined. Occasionally, gifts or premiums of little value are unavoidable. When these

are received, they are to be considered University property and should be reported as a notation on the invoice, and included on the department petty equipment or supply inventory.

450.00 Conflict of Interest

 The Montana State University-Bozeman Faculty Handbook, Section 440.00, establishes policy on Conflict of Interest.  This handbook is available at http://www.montana.edu/wwwfachb/fc/.

460.00 Purchases Near Close of Fiscal Year

Purchase Requisitions and invoices for supplies, equipment or services submitted at or near the close of a fiscal year (June 30) are to reflect essential requirements and are not to be used to exhaust appropriation balances. The MSU-Bozeman Controller's Office will issue fiscal year end instructions each April.

470.00 Trial or Demonstration Equipment

Departments are authorized to make arrangements for trial or demonstration equipment. Departments must send the "Product Demonstration" letter to the vendor prior to receipt of the equipment.  This letter does not waive the department's responsibility to follow purchasing procedures.  Departments are not authorized to use the product demonstration as leverage for purchasing the equipment. The terms and conditions of this letter may not be revised unless approved by the MSU-PD. The letter template is reflected in Appendix S.  



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