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Northern Arizona University
Purchasing Policy and Procedure

Small and Disadvantaged Businesses

POLICY:

In order to comply with specific federal small and disadvantaged business utilization goals as directed by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (herein called targeted businesses), and to comply with Arizona Board of Regents’ Procurement Code 3-803.D.1, the following procedures will be utilized:

1. The Arizona Board of Regents University Procurement Code requires that all purchasing transactions exceeding an aggregate dollar amount of $50,000 be awarded on the basis of sealed competitive proposals (RFP) or bids (RFB). Any procurement with an aggregate cost not exceeding $50,000 shall be awarded to a small business, if practicable, in accordance with Northern Arizona University procurement policies and procedures.

2. Any purchase that does not exceed an aggregate dollar amount of $5,000 should be made via the purchasing card or departmental Purchase Order. Departments are encouraged to make purchases from small businesses wherever possible in support of the University's overall Small Business Utilization Program goals.

3. Any product or service identified as and obtained under Federal Subcontracting plans which does not exceed an aggregate dollar amount of $50,000, shall be awarded to targeted businesses where possible to contribute towards the achievement of the established goals as set forth in the submitted subcontracting plan. Such awards will be made in accordance with procedures promulgated by the University's Procurement Officer on the basis of the lowest responsive and responsible bid or proposal. Where this is not practical, documentation will be required explaining why such utilization is impractical to demonstrate our "good faith" efforts in support of the submitted subcontracting plan.

4. Multiple awards, at the discretion of the Buyer or purchasing unit, may be made for any major University procurement where more than one source of goods and services exists and such practice will not result in a degradation of the product, service or price supplied to the University. Such awards will allow small businesses to compete effectively on specific portions of major University procurements and is an appropriate mechanism to increase business activity between the University and small businesses.

5. Procurements made from large distribution vendors who are able to document that products were acquired from a small business, shall be considered as acquired from that small business.