OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR -
BUSINESS AFFAIRS
March 13, 1997
KEY ADMINISTRATORS/KEY SUPPORT STAFF OFFICE MAIL DISTRIBUTION CONTACTS
SUBJECT: Equal Opportunity in Business Contracting
The purpose of this notice is to reaffirm UCSD's commitment to equal opportunity in business contracting. UCSD's policy governing nondiscrimination in business contracting requires that we ensure all contract and purchase order awards for goods and services at the University are made in a fair and impartial manner. Following is the University of California policy established to ensure equal opportunity in business contracting.
A. It is the policy of The Regents of the University of California that race, religion sex, color, ethnicity and national origin will not be used as criteria in its business contracting practices, except as provided in section B., below. Every effort will be made to ensure that all persons, regardless of race, religion, sex, color, ethnicity, and national origin have equal access to contracts and other business opportunities with the University.
B. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit any action which is necessary to comply with state and federal law, or to maintain eligibility for any federal or state funded program, where ineligibility would result in a loss of funds to the University.
C. The University shall establish outreach programs to assure equal opportunity in business contracting.
The University of California will no longer be held to stated targets representing a percent of all awards made to small, disadvantaged, or women-owned business except where necessary to maintain state or federal funds. However, it is UCSD's intent to employ a broad range of outreach activities designed to improve the University's access to qualified small business including disadvantaged, women and disabled veteran owned enterprises, and to ensure fair opportunities exist for placement of purchase orders with such firms. The first such event is scheduled for March 27th to provide suppliers with information about how to do business with UCSD. Representatives from the campus Purchasing Division, Medical Center Purchasing, and Facilities Design and Construction will hold workshops to assist new suppliers regarding the University's procurement and contracting business practices.
All departmental requesters and low value buyers are encouraged to embrace the policy of the University by working together with the professional buyers responsible for high value procurements. Only through this spirit of teamwork, cooperation and communication will we achieve UCSD's commitment to equal opportunity in business contracting.
We encourage you to contact UCSD's Small Business Office at extension 43081 or the professional buyers in Purchasing at extension 43084 with questions regarding your role in ensuring equal opportunity in business contracting or visit Purchasing's web site at http://www-bfs.ucsd.edu/pur/. Our site provides access to a directory of "Who's Who in Purchasing", a listing of small businesses sorted by product or service, and other valuable information about purchasing policies and procedures. The path to the Purchasing site from InfoPath is through the Administrative link, select Business Affairs, select Business and Financial Services which then links to Purchasing.
Please join me in supporting our commitment to equal opportunity in business contracting at UCSD.
Steven W. Relyea
Vice Chancellor - Business Affairs