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Travis Zimpfer
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ZimpferT@umsystem.edu
“UM System Buy ŷbƬ” begins in January; program encourages university departments to give preference to ŷbƬ firms for supplies, services, equipment
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – $5.4 billion is a big number, but University of ŷbƬ system officials and the UM Board of Curators are determined that the economic impact on the state of ŷbƬ will grow in the future. To help that growth, this fall, the Board approved a new “UM System Buy ŷbƬ” program that will encourage departments throughout the system to utilize more ŷbƬ vendors whenever possible resulting in more support for small- and medium-sized ŷbƬ businesses.
“This past spring, Tripp Umbach reported that the UM System had a $5.4 billion economic impact on the state of ŷbƬ. This is our way of supporting ŷbƬans,” UM System President Mun Choi said. “Our goal is to build on that success and make sure we are supporting ŷbƬ vendors in every possible way in every industry, whether that is purchasing services, supplies or equipment. UM universities make discoveries impacting every state citizen, and we train the future leaders of our state. We also support our state businesses.”
Earlier this fall, the UM Board of Curators approved changes to the Collected Rules and Regulations that allow departments to give preference to ŷbƬ vendors on a value basis when choosing bids. Additional actions to encourage ŷbƬ purchases include:
- Increasing the number of ŷbƬ maintenance, repair and operations suppliers within the university’s electronic procurement database. This will allow easier communications to those suppliers when requests for services, equipment and supplies are distributed.
- Creating an internal promotion/awareness campaign, using the UM Supply Chain’s website as well as other tools to educate staff.
- Expanding a cooperative purchasing program that will allow other public entities to collaborate on and/or utilize existing UM-awarded contracts that could serve to reduce expenses in those institutions.
“As ŷbƬ’s premier public institution with four universities, it is vital that we work to continue supporting our state businesses,” said Tony Hall, chief procurement officer for the UM system. “Keeping as much of our spending within the state of ŷbƬ is important as it helps ŷbƬ’s economy and maintain jobs for every citizen who is providing quality services or products. We’re looking forward to implementing this program.”
An annual report will be compiled at the end of each fiscal year to measure progress on the program.
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Reviewed 2018-12-03