Page 11 - The Edge - BTS 2019

BY GARY BARKMAN, CPPB – MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #4 AND BILL MUNCH,
CPPO, CPPB – VALLEY SCHOOLS MANAGEMENT GROUP
Purchasing of “Like-items”

Gary Barkman Bill Munch
and “Non-Like Items”

We still receive many questions asking how to determine Barkman states, “Experience has shown me, that if someone
“like-items” from “non-like items” when analyzing cumulative is going to a non-awarded vendor for commodity/services,
purchases below the quote threshold, ($10,000.00). We would they’re usually considered “nonlike-items” from the items that
like to share some analogies to consider that may help District’s a District would have on contract, otherwise, why wouldn’t the
simplify the thought process but not without reminding District purchase them from a contracted vendor?”
you of our simple disclaimer here: “Nothing in this article is “ e same can be said for cooperative contracts, (i.e. – If
meant to be construed as legal advice, but rather best practice a District makes a purchase from an awarded vendor but the
recommendations, based upon our experience as procurement commodity they’re purchasing is not on the contract, it may
professionals for our respective agencies.” O.K., now that’s out be considered a “nonlike-item” due to the fact it’s not part of
of the way, let’s proceed. the original cooperative contract. Again, each District must
“Remember, each procurement stands on its own and I determine this for themselves”, says Barkman
would not encourage anyone to make a determination for Procurement professionals should proceed with caution,
“like-items” or “non-like items” without proper and thorough as some determinations made are nothing more than a
documentation”, says Barkman. “ e three most important “judgement call”. Although the USFR refers to “like-items and
things in school district purchasing is documentation, services” it does NOT de nitively indicate what constitutes a
documentation and documentation”, according to Munch. like-item or service, so each procurement o cial must make
One question that repeats itself is this: “When calculating that determination for their own District.
the $10,000.00 threshold for “like item” commodities, do you Here’s what the USFR on page VI-G-11 says:
include all vendors in your calculation including those that are
on a contract?” CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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