8.07 "Best Value" Procurement

Section 51.9335, Education Code, authorizes The University of Texas at San Antonio to use "best value" procurement processes, which provide greater autonomy and flexibility in the procurement of goods and services. This policy provides guidelines for "best value" procurement.

This policy impacts all employees who participate to any extent in the procurement of goods or services, including but not limited to accumulation of information, preparation of solicitation and related procurement documentation, and selection of goods or service providers.

The University shall conduct all procurement activities in a manner that assures that each procurement for goods or services provides the "best value" to the institution. "Best value" means the optimum combination of economy and quality that is the result of fair, efficient, and practical procurement decision-making and which achieves the institution's procurement objectives.

Each procurement of goods or services shall be made using a method that results in "best value" to the institution, including but not limited to

1. competitive bidding;
2. competitive sealed proposals;
3. catalogue purchase (i.e., qualified information system vendor (QISV) catalogue (ref. Chapter 2157, Government Code); or
4. group purchasing programs; and

shall be awarded based on those criteria which provide "best value" to the institution. The procurement methods and selection criteria used in the solicitation and award of procurement transactions shall be determined by the institution's Purchasing Office in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, the Regents' Rules and Regulations, and best procurement practices.

All procurements shall be made in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, the Regents' Rules and Regulations and best procurement practices. Subject to the approval of the U.T. System Office of Academic Affairs and Office of General Counsel, the University's Chief Business Officer and Purchasing Office shall establish and implement detailed procedures and guidelines for the solicitation and award of all procurements of goods and services. These procedures should serve to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, the Regents' Rules and Regulations, and best procurement practices.

All questions concerning this policy should be directed to the University's Purchasing Office.