Material & Disbursement Services (MSD)
Policy 9B
Effective Date: 01/01/2001
Last Modified Date: 11/13/2003
Description
Strategic partner agreements have been negotiated to take advantage of the University's purchasing power, and to ensure that the goods purchased represent the best value. A large amount of planning and negotiating to receive the best value has already taken place. "Best value" includes a number of factors—not only price, but also free desktop delivery, consolidated billing, on-site customer support, and training.
For the University
These agreements allow the University to streamline operations. By placing more business with fewer vendors, both parties experience savings from economies of scale. Furthermore, UNC is able to integrate its systems for ordering, order tracking, receiving, and payment. In an integrated relationship, the vendor is positioned to assist UNC in meeting goals.
For the Department
Product sourcing of commonly used small-order items and negotiations have already been conducted. This frees up valuable time for research and teaching activities. The e-commerce procedures ensure that the benefits of the prime vendor agreement accrue to the department. Departmental billing through the Materials Management Division monthly statement reduces the administrative burden of receiving product and generating check requests. An added advantage is having vendor service and support representatives, who have an intimate knowledge of their product lines and the lines' integration with University business operations, available on campus.
To Use a Strategic Partner Agreement
Each department's ordering personnel must register with each strategic partner. After registration, the vendor will offer user training, and the purchasing authority controls required by the department will be established. Orders placed on-line will be delivered to the desktop, usually within 24 hours. All on-line purchases will appear on the consolidated MMD monthly statement. As with all small-order procedures, the using department has budget authority and responsibility to ensure that items ordered are indeed received.
Departments are never required to use strategic partner agreements, which are established as a convenience for University departments and do not preclude the use of any State term contract.
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