The
purpose of this email is to request and encourage your participation – if
not already – in the University’s contract with OfficeMax when
taking care of your department’s need for office supplies.
That
contract is available to us via E&I Cooperative, the group purchasing
organization (GPO) that serves higher education institutions across the
country. Because E&I’s processes satisfy the University’s
requirements for open and fair competition (in fact, our Buyers help E&I
conduct many of its bids), we can take advantage of the leverage that E&I
contracts provide.
As
you probably also know, our previous contract with Corporate Express expired
over a year ago. Departments who continue to use Corporate Express essentially
overlook Purchasing’s work to deliver reliable strategic suppliers under
agreements that are specifically structured – and thoroughly reviewed
– to serve and protect the interests of the University.
I
am against mandating participation in contracts. I believe that the contracts
established by Purchasing – and by E&I – should provide value
that attracts voluntary participation. Competition being what it is, the
supplier who is “outside the fence” will always be able to undercut
pricing on specific products, and will often be aggressive in doing so. The
fact is, though, that supplier had a fair shot at the overall contract during
the competitive process…and did not prevail. Under the professional
practice of strategic sourcing, constancy and cooperation between supplier and
institution is essential while the agreement is in effect.
Corporate
Express has recently been acquired by Staples. There is no agreement between
the University and Corporate Express or between the University and Staples.
Please
do not hesitate to call or email me for questions, comments, or suggestions.
Thank
you,
Burr
Byron Burr Millsap
Associate Vice President, Administration and Finance
University of Oklahoma / University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
660 Parrington Oval
Norman OK 73019
O - 405-325-5161
F - 405-325-7115
C
- 405-620-2977