Transcending Traditional Barriers Linking University Advancement and Research with Procurement

Transcending Traditional Barriers Linking University Advancement and Research with Procurement

Trudy Pound-Curtis

CAUBO Conference, Saskatoon SK

June 14, 2004

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Procurement ServicesProcurement Services

Procurement is the OPEN, FAIR, and TRANSPARENT

manner where goods and services are procured at the

OPTIMAL PRICE in a COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT,

and where all transactions yield the MAXIMUM BENEFIT

to the University.

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Traditional ModelTraditional Model

ResearchResearch

Procurement Services

Procurement Services

University Advancemen

t

University Advancemen

t

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Traditional ModelTraditional Model

Research

Procurement Services

• Researchers don’t want to be “in bed” with administration

• Researchers perceive autonomy over grant funds

• Granting Councils did not focus on the procurement process

• Researchers did not recognize the “value-added” that could be provided by Procurement Services

• University administration focused on supporting operating activities as very little funding was available to support research activities

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Emerging TrendsEmerging Trends

Procurement Services

Research

• Significant shift

• Canada Foundation Innovation Capital GrantsClear guidelines – procurement process must

follow university procurement policyFederal Agreement on Internal Trade

($100,000)

• Increased expectations from the Tri Council on the “procurement process”

• Increased recognition by University administration of fiduciary responsibility for public funds

• Increased dollars spent on research

• Increased funding available for indirect cost of research support

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Procurement Services

Emerging Trends – ChallengesEmerging Trends – Challenges

Research

• Procurement Services Education

• Granting Council guidelines

• Canada Foundation Innovation guidelines

• Researchers Education

• Accountability side

• “Value-added services” from procurement services

• Communication

• Dedicating and funding administrative support

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Traditional ModelTraditional Model

Procurement Services

University Advancement

• Inherent conflict with goals of procurement

• University policy prohibits consideration of “donations”

• Compromise the procurement process

• Could result in higher costs

• Could result in lower quality products/services (buy business)

• Confuses the budgeting and accounting for the transaction

• Conflict of interest or perception of “conflict of interest”

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Emerging Trends – Greater CooperationEmerging Trends – Greater Cooperation

Procurement Services

• Sharing information

• Vendor list

• Deep discounts

• Conversion of in-kind donations (case by case)

• Cheque for cheque exchange

University Advancement

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

Emerging Trends – ChallengesEmerging Trends – Challenges

Procurement Services

• Communications

• Transparency of transactions

• Education of vendors – procurement process

• Impact of cheque for cheque exchange tax leakage

• Validation of “deep discounts”

University Advancement

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CAUBO Conference, June 14, 2004Trudy Pound-Curtis

QuestionsQuestions