Best Value Procurement

Purpose

Section 51.9335, Texas Education Code, authorizes institutions of higher education to use best value procurement processes, which provide greater autonomy and flexibility in the procurement of goods and services.  The policy provides guidelines for best value procurement at Texas Woman’s University.

Scope

This process impacts all employees who participate to any extent in the procurement of goods or services, including but not limited to accumulation of information, preparation of solicitation and related procurement documentation, and selection of good or service providers.

Policy

The University shall conduct all procurement activities in a manner which assures that all procurement of goods or services provides best value to the University.  Best value means the optimum combination of economy and quality that is the result of fair, efficient, and practical procurement decision-making and which achieves the University’s procurement objectives.  All procurement of goods or services shall be made using a method which results in best value to the University, including but not limited to:

1. competitive bidding;
2. competitive sealed proposals;
3. group purchasing programs;

and shall be awarded based on those criteria which provide best value to the University.   The procurement methods and selection criteria used in the solicitation and award of procurement transactions shall be determined by the University’s Procurement and Contract Services Department in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.

Process

Subject to the approval of Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President and Vice President of Finance and Administration the Assistant Vice President of Procurement Services and Contracts shall establish and implement new purchasing procedures and changes to existing purchasing procedures.