UCSD CAMPUS NOTICE University of California, San Diego |
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OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR - BUSINESS AFFAIRS October 10, 1994 KEY ADMINISTRATORS/KEY SUPPORT STAFF OFFICE MAIL DISTRIBUTION CONTACTS SUBJECT: Business Affirmative Action UCSD is entering the seventh fiscal year of its Business Affirmative Action Program. At this milestone, we want to reacquaint our procurement customers with the campus approach to achieve the requisite target in business affirmative action utilization. This program affects all of us. It is the policy of the University of California, consistent with State and Federal law, to take affirmative action to optimize opportunities for business contracting with small, disadvantaged, women-owned, and disabled veteran business enterprises to ensure the placement of a fair proportion of business contracts with such enterprises. These laws require annual reporting of our results. The program at UCSD has been successful in reaching utilization targets in the small and women-owned business categories. However, utilization of disadvantaged and disabled veteran business enterprises falls short of the established goals. The goal for this fiscal year is to direct a minimum of 15% of total dollars spent for purchases of goods and/or services to disadvantaged enterprises and 3% to disabled veteran enterprises. Each UC campus, medical center and laboratory has a Business Affirmative Action Program designed to implement state, federal and local laws through liaison with the business community and development of resources for campus personnel who buy goods and services. However, ultimate responsibility for success lies with the individuals who initiate purchase transactions, whether low value, high value or travel agency commitments. Through these joint efforts, UCSD utilization, relative to the targets, has significantly improved. However, a renewed commitment is required to continue our record of improvement. The policy stemming from state law, and which is utilized by our purchasing professionals, is defined by UC Business and Finance Bulletin BUS 43. This policy authorizes negotiation, where appropriate, in lieu of competition for procurements up to $50,000. To effectively utilize this resource, buyers, in partnership with requestors, will be required to: (1) determine if requisitioned goods or services can be provided by a business affirmative action source, and (2) determine that the price quoted is "reasonable." Negotiation and competition practices must assure that performance and quality criteria are considerations in the final selection and award of contracts. A partnership between the professional buyer and requestor is essential for achieving success. All departmental requestors and low value buyers are encouraged to embrace the policy of the University by working hand in hand with the professional buyers tasked with high value procurements. Additionally, low value orders should be directed to disadvantaged and disabled veteran enterprises at every opportunity. Only through this spirit of teamwork, cooperation and communication will we achieve the goals by which we are challenged. We encourage you to contact UCSD's Small Business Office and Purchasing Division at extension X43081 or X43084 regarding your role in business affirmative action outreach efforts. Steven W. Relyea Vice Chancellor - Business Affairs |