0000033095
06-28-2011, 06:47 PM
I'd appreciate other purchasing professionals to weigh in on this issue. Thanks in advance for your insights.
Scenario:
A Purchasing Analyst at a public entity is preparing an RFP for Professional Services. An evaluation team is selected from the end-user, accounting, and purchasing members. The entity's process for evaluation is that the team evaluates the proposals based on pre-determined weighted criteria and selects finalists. Finalists answer additional questions on their proposals during an oral presentation/interview before the evaluation team. After the interviews the finalists are ranked for overall best fit for the entity and a recommendation goes to their governing body (county commissioner, city council, etc.)
The RFP document contains the following clause:
"Contact with Owner during RFP process" It states "Communication between a Proposer and a member of the Governing Body or between a Proposer and a non-designated Owner contact regarding the selection of a Proposer or award of this contract is prohibited from the time the RFP is advertised until the item is posted on the agenda for the selection of a Proposer or award of the contract.".
Just before the review process is to start, the Purchasing Analyst is directed by a high-level manager at the entity to include a member of the governing body on the evaluation team. Would this be a conflict of interest?
Scenario:
A Purchasing Analyst at a public entity is preparing an RFP for Professional Services. An evaluation team is selected from the end-user, accounting, and purchasing members. The entity's process for evaluation is that the team evaluates the proposals based on pre-determined weighted criteria and selects finalists. Finalists answer additional questions on their proposals during an oral presentation/interview before the evaluation team. After the interviews the finalists are ranked for overall best fit for the entity and a recommendation goes to their governing body (county commissioner, city council, etc.)
The RFP document contains the following clause:
"Contact with Owner during RFP process" It states "Communication between a Proposer and a member of the Governing Body or between a Proposer and a non-designated Owner contact regarding the selection of a Proposer or award of this contract is prohibited from the time the RFP is advertised until the item is posted on the agenda for the selection of a Proposer or award of the contract.".
Just before the review process is to start, the Purchasing Analyst is directed by a high-level manager at the entity to include a member of the governing body on the evaluation team. Would this be a conflict of interest?