Letter of Delegation of Purchasing Authority from R.W. Jackson (in PDF)

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State Contract Purchase Guidelines

Spot Purchase Guidelines (0 - $5000)

Extended Spot Purchase Guidelines ($5000.01-$9999.99)

Certified Purchasing Request Guidelines ($10000 and up)

Sole Source Purchase Guidelines

Emergency Purchase Guidelines

Attachment A (AG-601) - Sole Source/Proprietary Justification for Commodities

Attachment B (AG-602) - Sole Source/Proprietary Justification for Services

Attachment C (AG-603) - Emergency Justification

Historically Underutilized Business Program

National Association of Educational Buyers Code of Ethics

State of Texas Code of Ethics

Conflict of Interest

State Contract Purchase Guidelines

The Texas Building & Procurement Commission (TBPC), formerly the General Services Commission, is in the process of initiating E-Commerce for the State of Texas Term Contracts.
When the new system is available, all state contract orders will be processed using one procedure. We have tried to make the systems used in all agencies as similar as possible in the meantime, however, there are still some differences. Please note the specific references to TAES and TCE in the following instructions.

1. Access the Term Contracts on the TBPC web-site http://www.tbpc.state.tx.us.
   
   
2. Prepare a bookkeeping Contract (automated or non-automated) Purchase Requisition (po type), or AG-609 for units not on bookkeeping, with the following information:
   
   
   1. Description of the item
   2. Commodity code
   3. Quantity and Unit of Measure
   4. Vendor
      
      
3. TAES Units may place the order with the vendor prior to submitting the Bookkeeping Contract purchase Requisition to Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing. However, if you do so you must put the following at the beginning of the description of item number 1 of your bookkeeping contract purchase requisition “This is a Confirming Order. Please do not duplicate. The TBPC will be sending you their copy of this order referencing our purchaser order number (insert number).” Then enter a line of asterisks to set it off from the line 1 description.
   
   
4. TCE/TWDMS Units may place confirming orders for tires only. To request a contract requisition number to place the order, call Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing. You must put the following at the beginning of the description of item number 1 of your bookkeeping contract purchase requisition “This is a Confirming Order. Please do not duplicate. The TBPC will be sending you their copy of this order referencing our purchaser order number (insert number).” Then enter a line of asterisks to set it off from the line 1 description.
   
   
5. Submit original and three copies of your bookkeeping Contract Purchase Requisition to Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing for processing.
   
   
6. Order will be processed and placed by TBPC, unless it is a confirming order.
   
   
7. TAES Units will receive a copy of the Contract Purchase Order from TBPC.
   
   
8. TCE Units will receive a copy of the Contract Purchase Order from TBPC and a FAMIS Purchase Order from Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing. Units must reference the FAMIS PO number in the appropriate block on the voucher to insure that the purchase order can be properly liquidated.

Spot Purchase Guidelines
Purchases 0-$5000

1. No bids are required for purchases of Goods and Services less than or equal to $5000.00 including shipping, handling, freight and postage, except for purchases of printing/copying and bulk fuel. The department is to award to the best source. Units may not split orders to avoid the bidding requirements. Note that the nature of some commodities or services require a formal written bid process, i.e., maintenance agreements, copiers, bulk fuel. Formal written bids must be processed by the Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing Dept regardless of the dollar amount.
   
   
2. A Unit Bookkeeping purchase order must be processed prior to any commitment to a vendor regardless of the dollar amount. The order date must precede the delivery and invoice date.
   
   
3. Units/Departments are requested to solicit to Historically Underutilized Business (HUBS) for goods and services. A list of certified HUBS is available by commodity and class on line @ http://www.tbpc.state.tx.us/cmbl/cmblhub.html Note: If you solicited from HUBS, you may enter a purchase less than $5000 in the extended spot request to insure that your HUB effort is captured.
   
   
4. Services of an individual, not a corporation, require the AG-106 Determination of Independent Contractor Status/Contractual Agreement form be completed and approved prior to any commitment to the individual. If you fail to process the form, your voucher will not be paid.
   
   
5. Preferences
   
   
   1. Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH)
      
      Units are to purchase products and services available from the Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH). If the unit purchases products or services available from the TIBH from a non-TIBH source, a written justification must be provided documenting the reason why TIBH products or services were unacceptable. Such reason may be delivery time, price, and failure of products to meet specifications, quality issues from previous purchases or other factors that support best value. TIBH Products and Services can be accessed via their website, http://www.purchaseplus.com/index.htm
      
      
   2. Recycled, Remanufactured, or Environmentally Sensitive Products
      
      Units are to specify and purchase recycled/remanufactured products whenever possible. Note on the purchasing documentation whether a recycled or remanufactured product was used. A preference shall be given to products made of recycled materials if the products meet state specifications as to quantity and quality. The following examples are opportunities to use recycled products:
      
      
      1. Re-refined oils and lubricants;
         
         
      2. Recycled-content toilet paper, toilet seat covers, paper towels; and
         
         
      3. Recycled-content printing, computer and copier paper, and business envelopes.
         
         
   3. Contracts

      Various existing Contracts are available for departmental use. These are contracts where best value has been established for commodities and services including but not limited to: computers, copiers, furniture, scientific equipment, software, multi-media, tires, etc. Departments are encouraged to take advantage of the deep discounts that have been established.

      1. TAMU Purchasing Supplier Mall - http://purchasing.tamu.edu/suppmall/
         
         
      2. DIR contracts – http://www.dir.state.tx.us/busops/dir_store/index.html
         
         
      3. TBPC Term Contracts - http://www.tbpc.state.tx.us/stpurch/tcchgs.html

      
      Note: all orders for rental, lease, or purchase of copiers must be processed by Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing. Units may not sign contracts/ agreements with vendors.

6. Goods and Services that may not be purchased without bids are as follows;

1. Printing Services (Offset Press Services)
   May be obtained two ways.
   
   
   1. TAMU Graphic Services Department may be used without bids. An encumbrance purchase order should be issued and vouchered against. Printing Services number is
      (979) 845-5841.
      
      
   2. If the unit (Both on or Off campus) is not using TAMU Graphic Services, then bids must obtained by the Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing Department. Contact Joan Pitman at (979) 845-2898 or by e-mail j-pitman@tamu.edu. Department is to submit a bookkeeping certified purchasing request or AG-609 for units not on bookkeeping. Joan will obtain the bids and the Purchasing Department will issue a FAMIS purchase order. Department must reference the FAMIS PO number in the appropriate block on the voucher in order for the purchase to be properly liquidated.
      
      
2. Copying Services (Black & White or Color photocopies, laminating, binding, etc.)
   
   On Campus (Bryan-College Station Based units) may obtain services in two ways.
   
   
   1. Ag. Communication Copy Services Center. Contact Chuck Lind @ 979-845-2415, Fax No. (979) 845-6643 or by E-mail cr-lind@tamu.edu. Black and White, as well as color copy services are available by either electronic transfer or hard copy. Additional services include laminating, mailing and complete binding services.
      
      
   2. TAMU Graphic Services Department 979-845-2427.
      
      

   Off Campus locations will be required to obtain 6 bids following informal bid procedures regardless of dollar amount for Commodity Class 966 (Printing Services which includes Copying Services). Note: Commodity Class 961 and 962 follow Spot, Extended Spot or Certified Purchase Request guidelines based on the dollar amount. If a written bid is necessary, Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing will obtain the bids. In which case, units shall submit a Certified Purchase Request. Departments are encouraged to set up blanket purchase orders to eliminate repetitive bidding.

3. Bulk Fuel
   

   Bulk Fuel requires formal written bids processed by the Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing Department. The Purchasing Department will issue a FAMIS purchase order. Units shall:
   
   
   1. submit a certified purchasing request if the unit is on bookkeeping or an AG-609 if the unit is not on bookkeeping listing their requirements
      
      
   2. reference the FAMIS Purchase Order number in the appropriate block on the voucher to insure it is properly liquidated.

Note: Units are not delegated the authority to sign vendor contracts or agreements. All vendor contracts or agreements must be forwarded to Contracts and Grants for contract review.

Extended Spot Purchase Guidelines
$5000.01-$9999.99

1. Bids are required for purchases of Goods and Services from $5000.01 up to $9,999.99 including shipping, handling, freight and postage. (See Exceptions Below)
   Note: Units may not split orders to avoid bidding requirements.
   
   
2. Trained Unit Purchasers* are delegated the informal bid (i.e. phone or informal fax) process. Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing must handle the formal written bid process. Some commodities or services regardless of the dollar amount require a formal written bid process, i.e. maintenance agreements, copiers, bulk fuel.
   
   
   1. Units must solicit a minimum of six (6) informal bids to include a minimum of four (4) HUBS and at least two other vendors, preferences apply. See Spot Purchase Guidelines 5.A-C.
      
      
   2. Identify the correct commodity class and item @ http://www.tbpc.state.tx.us/com_book/index.html
      
      
   3. Solicit at least four (4) Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBS) (one ethnic and one woman owned) from the State of Texas certified HUB list @ http://www.tbpc.state.tx.us/cmbl/hubonly.html. The two other vendors may be selected from the CMBL, the HUB list or other source.
      
      
   4. When soliciting informal bids, you must ascertain from the vendor the following information:
      
      
      1. That our payment terms of Net 30 are acceptable to them
         
         
      2. That the goods will be sent F.O.B. Destination
         
         
      3. Who will pay the freight, i.e., if the goods are F.O.B. Destination Freight included or F.O.B. Destination Freight pre-paid and added (to the invoice).
         Note: You must include this on your Extended Spot Order when it is forwarded to Purchasing for approval and issuance of the FAMIS PO.
         
         
   5. If the product or service is proprietary (meaning sole producer, manufacturer or single source) then a sole source attachment is required.
      
      
   • AG-601 for Commodities http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou3.pdf
   • AG-602 for Services http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou4.pdf
     
     
   6. Services of an individual, not a corporation, require the Determination of Independent Contractor Status form be completed and approved prior to any commitment to the individual. If you fail to process the form, your voucher will not be paid.
      
      
   7. Prepare a Bookkeeping Extended Spot Request including a detailed description of the product or service being purchased, installation requirements, warranty required, quantity, price, suggested vendor for award, correct ship to and invoice to addresses, Payment Terms and F.O.B. information. If applicable, include reason why no hubs used and/or reason for wanting to award to other than low bidder.
      
      
   8. If not on bookkeeping prepare an AG-609 request for purchase with informal tab sheet. Furnish required information as outlined in D, E, F and G.
      http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/forms-ag.htm
      
      
   9. Forward the original Bookkeeping Extended Spot Request or AG-609 to Ag. Program Purchasing along with all relevant backup for approval and issuance of the FAMIS PO.
      
      

   * Trained Unit Purchasers are those individuals who have attended the GSC (TBPC) Basic Public Purchasing Course. If your unit does not have a trained unit purchaser, all purchases exceeding $5000 must be forwarded to Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing on a Certified Purchasing Request or AG-609 for units not on bookkeeping.

   10. Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing will issue a FAMIS purchase order and send vendor copy to the vendor.

       Note: No Commitment may be made by the unit to a vendor prior to the issuance of a FAMIS PO. The bookkeeping Extended Spot Number is not a valid PO number.

   11. The unit will receive a copy of the FAMIS purchase order. Unit must reference the FAMIS PO number in the appropriate block on the voucher to insure that the purchase order can be properly liquidated.

3. Exceptions

1. Written bids are required for purchases of printing/copying and bulk fuel regardless of the dollar amount. (See spot purchase procedures for details).
   
   
2. All orders for rental, lease, or purchase of copiers must be processed by Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing. Units may not sign contracts/ agreements with vendors.

   Note: Units are not delegated the authority to sign vendor contracts or agreements. All vendor contracts or agreements must be forwarded to Contracts and Grants for contract review.
   

Certified Purchasing Request Guidelines
Purchases $10,000 and Up

Formal Written Bids are required for purchase of Goods and Services $10,000 and up. The Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing Department will procure goods and services in accordance with the Texas A&M University System Regulation http://sago.tamu.edu/policy/25-99-02.htm and Texas A&M University System Procurement Code @ http://sago.tamu.edu/policy/code.htm, internal processes, and standard operating procedures.
Note: Units may not split orders to avoid bidding requirements.

1. Units shall provide the following information on, or attached to, the Certified Purchase Request and submit it to Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing for solicitation of bids, award, and issuance of the FAMIS Purchase Order to the successful vendor.

1. Written specifications for the product or service to be acquired with the following information:
   
   
   1. A simple, clear, and accurate description that allows competition
      
      
   2. Minimum requirements or specific features that must be met
      
      
   3. Minimum essential characteristics and standards to which the item or service must conform if they are to satisfy the intended use
      
      
   4. Quantity to be procured, including unit of measure, i.e., each, month, quarter, year, hour, etc.
      
      
2. If a services, the dates the service is required, i.e. beginning and ending date
   
   
3. Special requirements such as: delivery, installation, maintenance, warranty required, blanket purchase information, dates needed, special terms such as lease buy or rent, trade-in, etc.
   
   
4. Suggested Sources including company names, contact names, phone and fax numbers, address, and Federal employer identification number (FEI) if available.
   
   
5. Ship to and bill to information. (The ship to address should include a street address if applicable and the name of the person who will receive the goods.)
   
   
6. Sole Source Justification Form if applicable.

• AG-601 for Commodities http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou3.pdf
• AG-602 for Services http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou4.pdf

  
  A proprietary purchase is justified only when an equivalent product or service is not available. When the specification requirements limit consideration to one manufacturer, one product or one service provider, a written justification must be provided by the requesting unit and submitted along with the Certified Purchase Request. Sole source requests will be approved by the Assistant Director for Budgeting and Reporting or the Associate Director for Administrative Services.
  Note: No commitment may be made by a unit to a vendor prior to the issuance of the FAMIS PO.

2. Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing will process the Certified Purchase Request, make award, issue the FAMIS purchase order and send it to the vendor.
   
   
3. The unit will receive a copy of the FAMIS purchase order. Unit must reference the FAMIS PO number in the appropriate block on the voucher to insure that the purchase order can be properly liquidated.
   
   Note: By submitting the Certified Purchase Request form to Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing you are authorizing Purchasing to expend the funds. It is a notice to Proceed. If the lowest, most responsible bid meets the specifications and is within the budgeted amount, award will be made without review by the unit. If an alternate product is offered or the bid exceeds the budgeted amount, the unit will be consulted prior to award.
   

Sole Source Purchases

1. Proprietary Purchases--Products or services manufactured or offered under exclusive rights of ownership, including rights under patent, copyright, or trade secret law. A product or service is proprietary if it has a distinctive feature or characteristic that is not shared or provided by competing or similar products or services. Purchases follow appropriate dollar procedures, spot, extended spot or certified purchase request.
   
   
2. A Sole Source Justification Form must be submitted with the request and may be accessed at:

• AG-601 for Commodities http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou3.pdf
• AG-602 for Services http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou4.pdf

Emergency Purchase Guidelines

An emergency purchase is defined by the State of Texas as “a purchase of goods or services so badly needed that an agency will suffer financial or operational damage unless they are secured immediately.” Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing will approve an emergency purchase in accordance with the following provisions:

1. Units are to contact Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing Department immediately for advice and assistance in handling all emergency purchases.
   
   
2. At least three informal bids, including HUBS, must be obtained whenever possible on all purchases in excess of $5000.
   
   
3. For emergency purchases exceeding $5000, units must submit a completed emergency justification form, Attachment C. AG-603 http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/emergen2.pdf
   
   
4. If the emergency purchase is also a sole source exceeding $5000, units must submit a completed sole source justification form, Attachment A or B.

• AG-601 for Commodities http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou3.pdf
• AG-602 for Services http://agservices.tamu.edu/forms/solesou4.pdf

5. An Extended Spot Purchase Request or Certified Purchase Request along with the emergency justification form and any other documentation must be sent for review and approval by the Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing Department prior to making any commitment to the vendor. Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing will issue a FAMIS purchase order and send it to the vendor.
   
   
6. The unit will receive a copy of the FAMIS purchase order. Unit must reference the FAMIS PO number in the appropriate block on the voucher to insure that the purchase can be properly liquidated.

ATTACHMENT A (AG-601)

SOLE SOURCE/PROPRIETARY JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMODITIES

This questionnaire has been designed to assist faculty and staff in providing information necessary in the processing of a request for a sole source or proprietary procurement. Please complete and forward to the Unit Purchaser. If more space is needed, please attach additional page(s).

PO or Certified Purchasing Request No.: _____________________________

Brand and Model Number of item to be purchased:

Item only available from the following source:

1. Identify the features or characteristics that are unique to the requested product(s):
   ____________________________________________________________________
2. Briefly explain the need for the unique features or characteristics. (This explanation must address the critical importance of the unique features or characteristics as they apply to its intended use and/or purpose in your operation.):
   
   ___________________________________________________________________
3. Identify all other sources whose product(s) have been reviewed and state why they are not satisfactory (Attach any quotes/proposals received from other sources, if applicable):
   ___________________________________________________________________
4. Give Brand and Model number of existing equipment if product will be used with existing equipment:
   ____________________________________________________________________

I certify that the above statements are true and correct, and that no other material fact or consideration offered or given has influenced this recommendation for a sole source or
proprietary procurement.

ATTACHMENT B (AG-602)

SOLE SOURCE/PROPRIETARY JUSTIFICATION FOR SERVICES

This questionnaire has been designed to assist faculty and staff in providing information necessary in the processing of a request for a sole source or proprietary purchase of
services. Please complete and forward to the Unit Purchaser. If more space is needed, please attach additional page(s).

PO or Certified Purchasing Request No.: _____________________________

Brief Description of Services Requested:


Vendor:

1. Identify the special and/or unique qualifications of the individual/company and the reason such qualifications are necessary in the performance of the project requirements:
   _____________________________________________________________________
2. Identify all other sources that have been considered for this project and why they were found unsatisfactory (Attach any quotes/proposals received from other sources, if applicable):
   ____________________________________________________________________
   Your signature below insures that:

• No employee/employer relationship exists.
• The payment for services is within the range of competitive market wage scales for like services.
• This contractor is not related to anyone who has authority over the contract and/or is not an employee of any other TAMUS Component or State Agency.
• You certify that the above statements are true and correct, and that no other material fact or consideration offered or given has influenced this recommendation for a sole-source or proprietary procurement.
• If an individual or sole-proprietor, please complete and attached the Employee/Independent Contractor Verification Form
  
  

ATTACHMENT C (AG- 603)

EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION

This questionnaire has been designed to assist faculty and staff in providing information necessary in the processing of emergency requisitions for the purchase of products or
services. Please complete and forward to the Unit Purchaser. If more space is needed, please attach additional page(s).

PO or Certified Purchasing Request No.: _____________________________


1. State the reason for the emergency purchase by explaining what the emergency is and what caused the emergency situation:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. State the facts that lead to the conclusion that financial or operational damage or risk of damage will occur if needs are not satisfied immediately (do not simply
say there will be damage or risk of damage):
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

3. State why the needs were not or could not be anticipated so that goods or services could not have been purchased following standard procedures:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

4. State the reason and process used for selecting the vendor (Attach all quotes/proposals received from other sources, if applicable):
__________________________________________________________________
I certify that the above statements are true and correct, and that no other material fact or consideration offered or given has influenced this recommendation for an emergency
procurement.

Historically Underutilized Business Program

It is the policy of the State of Texas, Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE), and the individual departments purchasing the services to encourage the use of historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) in our prime contracts, subcontracts and purchasing transactions. Texas A&M Agriculture initiatives and state law further dictate that the purchasing department assist our prime contractors and core suppliers to achieve these ends through race, ethnic and gender-neutral means. The goal of the HUB Advocacy Program (HUBAP) is to promote full and equal business opportunity for all businesses in the Texas A&M Agriculture contracting and purchasing.

NAEB Code of Ethics

1. Give first consideration to the objectives and policies of my institution.
   
   
2. Strive to obtain the maximum value for each dollar of expenditure.
   
   
3. Decline personal gifts or gratuities.
   
   
4. Grant all competitive suppliers equal consideration insofar as state or federal statute and institutional policy permit.
   
   
5. Conduct business with potential and current suppliers in an atmosphere of good faith, devoid of intentional misrepresentation.
   
   
6. Demand honesty in sales representation whether offered through the medium of a verbal or written statement, an advertisement, or a sample of the product.
   
   
7. Receive consent of originator of proprietary ideas and designs before using them for competitive purchasing purposes.
   
   
8. Make every reasonable effort to negotiate an equitable and mutually agreeable settlement of any controversy with a supplier; and/or be willing to submit any major controversies to arbitration or other third party review, insofar as the established policies of my institution permit.
   
   
9. Accord a prompt and courteous reception insofar as conditions permit to all who call on legitimate business missions.
   
   
10. Cooperate with trade, industrial and professional associations, and with governmental and private agencies for the purposes of promoting and developing sound business methods.
    
    
11. Foster fair, ethical and legal trade practices.
    
    
12. Counsel and cooperate with NAEB members and promote a spirit of unity and a keen interest in professional growth among them.
    

Texas A&M Agriculture Code of Ethics

The nature of purchasing functions makes it critical that all players in the process remain independent, free of obligation or suspicion, and completely fair and impartial. Maintaining the integrity and credibility of a purchasing program requires a clear set of guidelines, rules and responsibilities to govern the behavior of purchasing employees. Credibility and public
confidence are vital throughout the purchasing and contracting system. Any erosion of honesty, integrity or openness tends to be more injurious to purchasing than to most other
public programs. The shadow of doubt can be as harmful as the conduct itself. It is with this in mind that the following policies and procedures are set forth. All employees of Texas A&M Agriculture involved in purchasing under delegated authority shall adhere to the following ethical standards:

A state employee may not:

1. Participate in work on a contract by taking action as an employee through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, giving advice, investigation or similar action
   knowing that the employee, or member of their immediate family has an actual or potential financial interest in the contract, including prospective employment;
   
   
2. Solicit or accept anything of value from an actual or potential vendor;
   
   
3. Be employed by, or agree to work for, a vendor or potential vendor;
   
   
4. Knowingly disclose confidential information for personal gain; or
   
   
5. Be employed at a pay classification of a A 17 or B 9, Step 1 or higher if the spouse of an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association of businesses that contracts with the state. (See your Human Resources representative for verification of the new equivalent pay classification which became effective 09/01/97).

A former employee (pay classification A 17 or B9 Step 1 who ceases service or employment on or after January 1, 1992) may not:

1. Represent any person or receive compensation for services rendered on behalf of any person regarding a particular matter (a specific investigation, application, request for a ruling or determination, rulemaking proceeding, contract, claim, charge or other proceeding, contract, claim, charge or other proceeding) in which the former employee participated during the period of employment, either through personal involvement or because the case or proceeding was a matter within the employee's official responsibility.

A vendor or potential vendor may not:

1. Offer, give, or agree to give an employee anything of value;

When an actual or potential violation of any of these standards is discovered, the person involved:

1. Shall file a written statement concerning the matter with an appropriate supervisor.
   
2. May request written instructions and disposition of the matter.

If an actual violation occurs and is not disclosed and remedied, depending on the severity of the violation, the employee involved may be:

1. Reprimanded
   
2. Suspended, or
   
3. Dismissed.

If an actual violation occurs and is not disclosed and remedied, depending on the severity of the violation, the vendor or potential vendor involved may:

1. Be barred from receiving future contracts and/or
2. Have an existing contract canceled.

Purchasing professionals have the right under law to have any ethics question reviewed and decided by the State Ethics Commission. If you wish to learn whether a specific action
violates the ethics rules, please contact the State Ethics Commission, 1101 Camino La Costa, Austin, Texas 78752 or call them at (512) 463-5800 or 1-800-325-8506 for outside of Austin.

Conflict of Interest

Texas A&M Agriculture requires that all employees involved in purchasing under delegated authority sign a Conflict of Interest statement each year. One copy of the signed statement
should be given to the employee, one copy should be filed in the employee's personnel file and another copy should be forwarded to Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing. On the next page is the Conflict of Interest Declaration that all trained purchasers for Texas A&M Agriculture shall sign at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Texas A&M Agriculture (AG-606)

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION

No employee of Texas A&M Agriculture shall be interested in, or in any manner connected with, any contract or bid for furnishing supplies, materials, services, and equipment of any kind to any agency of the State of Texas. Neither shall any employee, under penalty of dismissal, accept or receive from any person, firm, or corporation to whom any contract may be awarded, directly or indirectly, by rebate, gift, or otherwise, any money or other thing of value whatsoever, nor shall he receive any promise, obligation, or contract for future reward or compensation from any such party.

I certify that I have read and understand the above statement.

______________________________
Employee Signature

____________________
Date

______________________________
Printed Name


cc: Personnel File
     Texas A&M Agriculture Purchasing