Page 37 - The Edge - Summer 2021
P. 37

What  happens  if  a  vendor  offers  a  $50  gift  card  at
        Christmas because you’re “such a good customer?”

        Citing  state  statute,  Larson  said  basically  accepting
        $300  or  more  is  a  class  6  felony  and  less  than  that
        is a class 1 misdemeanor. Nominal items, such as a
        T-shirt, mug, pen, and inexpensive food and beverage
        are OK.

        “A  $200  dinner  would  raise  a  red  flag,”  Larson  said.
        “Educate vendors that large gifts raise a lot of red flags.”

        Again, annual training regarding policies is recommended.

        What  happens  if  a  vendor  files  what  seems  like  a
        frivolous protest?

        “Any interested party may protest a solicitation issued
        by the school district, a determination that a proposal
        is unacceptable, or the proposed award or the award
        of a school district contract,” McCleery said.

        Even  if  the  protest  is  considered  questionable,
        McCleery said, “Don’t argue with the vendor. Address
        the protest, and seek advice from your district legal     HELPING SCHOOLS
        counsel, if necessary. Always go back to what does
        the statute say?”
                                                                        FOCUS ON WHAT
        If  the  district  employee  has  a  complaint  against  a
        contract-awarded  vendor,  McCleery  recommended:                   MATTERS MOST
        “Ask  the  employee  to  document  the  complaint
        in  writing.  Then,  research  the  complaint  –  what
        happened?”                                                        Comprehensive Infrastructure

                                                                             Renewal, Sustainability and
        The complaint could involve fulfillment of an order,
        the quality or condition of an item received, a short                             Funding Solutions
        or  over  shipment,  customer  service  complaint  or  a
        contract violation.

        “Discuss it with the vendor, if appropriate,” McCleery
        said. “Place the vendor on notification, if appropriate.
        Communicate back with the employee with what steps
        Purchasing took to resolve the complaint.”

        If a vendor has a complaint against another vendor,
        Larson said it should be documented in writing. If it                            For more information, contact:
        has merit, check whether it involves other departments,                            TYLER GIRTMAN
        such as Accounts Payable. He advised: “Provide the                                       602.373.1759
        best possible customer service while still maintaining                    TYLERG@CLIMATEC.COM
        complete procurement compliance.”
                                                                                               CLIMATEC.COM
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