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¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ is subject to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio R.C. 143.49 et seq.), and as such suppliers should note that any quotations submitted to ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ are subject to this act, including but not limited to the entirety of the total quote price as compared to other quotes and/or bidders. The University recognizes that in submitting quotations to the University, the supplier may desire to provide proprietary information in order to clarify and enhance their proposal. To the extent permitted by law, the University will keep confidential such proprietary information provided the conditions as described in the following paragraphs are met:

1. Proprietary information is submitted in a separate book or electronic document;
2. The separate book or electronic document must be clearly identified as containing proprietary information.

The reference to the proprietary information must be clearly made in the detailed response, and conversely, the section in the proprietary information book or electronic document shall be clearly labeled as to what in the detailed response it references.

Suppliers should note that ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ is a public institution, and, as such, its files are available for public review under Ohio Public Records Law. Suppliers are cautioned to label as "proprietary" only that information which can be clearly demonstrated as being proprietary and not in common use or common knowledge. Labeling as proprietary the complete quotation, the pricing, the narrative response, or other information that is general in nature, may be cause for rejection by the university.

¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ is dedicated to maintaining excellence and integrity in all aspects of its educational and business activities. The trust of the community we serve—our students and their families, our trustees and staff, our business associates, and the general public—is vital to the image and economic success of our institution. In keeping these core values, we depend upon the responsible, law- abiding, and morally correct behavior of all suppliers we conduct business with.

¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ has a Supplier Code of Conduct that describes the fundamental ethical and behavioral principles that govern all suppliers who do business with any of our institutions. We expect all suppliers to honor this commitment and abide by the provisions of this Supplier Code of Conduct as a condition of doing business with ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ.

In doing business with ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ, our suppliers and their representatives are expected to: Engage in legally-compliant and ethically-sound behavior during the course of business; Promote fair and respectful interaction with University personnel and third parties; Display a commitment to the environment and to society; Be committed to workplace and product safety; Reject all forms of discrimination & harassment; Display professionalism, fairness, and reliability in all business relations.

It is the responsibility of each supplier to ensure that its representatives understand and comply with the ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ Supplier Code of Conduct. Further, participation in conduct or practices that violate the terms and spirit of this Supplier Code of Conduct may result in termination of a supplier’s business relationship with ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ.

As a public university, ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ is not permitted to enter into contracts that contain certain provisions or language. For example, ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ cannot enter into a contract that requires the following:

• ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ to provide a supplier or third party with an open-ended indemnity.
• ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ to litigate or otherwise resolve a dispute under the laws of a state other than the State of Ohio.
• The contract to be interpreted under the laws of any state other than the State of Ohio.

¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ has created a form Side Letter Agreement, that modifies the terms of a supplier’s standard contract so that such contract conforms to Ohio law and ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ’s policies, procedures, and guidelines. If a supplier wishes to do business with ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ using the supplier’s standard contract, then such supplier must sign the Side Letter Agreement. ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ will not consider any edits, modifications, or adjustments to its Side Letter Agreement.

Developing a Supplier Relationship

The purchasing process at the University is centralized with all requests being routed through the Office of Strategic Procurement. Any supplier wishing to do business with the University should contact the Office of Strategic Procurement to personally discuss their company's products and/or services and to express their interest in doing business with the University.

It is the objective of the Office of Strategic Procurement to provide procurement solutions to University stakeholders through a competitive bid process where possible and practical.

Submitting a Proposal

Registered suppliers may submit a proposal for bidding events.

¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ supports the State of Ohio and business development program. The University has established goals for EDGE Certified Business Participation for University contracts that include goods, services, construction and professional design services. Similar goals are established for MBE. For further information on MBE/EDGE Programs, please refer to the .

Requirements

The University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Under current law, a goal of 15% of goods and services to certified MBE and 5% of goods, services, and construction contracting to EDGE is to be purchased. Minority vendors must be certified by the State of Ohio Department of Administrative services, Equal Opportunity Division, prior to participation. The Office of Strategic Procurement takes the lead role in supporting the goals of the program.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ has received federal financial assistance from the DOT, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

It is the policy of ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ to ensure that DBEs, as defined in 49 CFR, Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. Interested suppliers may read  ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ's policy.