Laura,
The University of Kentucky Libraries would meet A. We have a signatory within the library that can negotiate and sign the majority of our contracts. We have identified
red flags with UK Purchasing and with UK Legal where we would consult with them on a contract. This makes most of our routine renewals and new orders straight forward and means that UK Purchasing and UK Legal do not have to spend their time and effort on those
contracts. UK Purchasing does participate in anything that meets the requirement for going out to bid and we consult UK Legal as needed. – Sincerely, Kate Seago, Director of Acquisitions.
From: serialst@simplelists.com <serialst@simplelists.com>
On Behalf Of Laura Gewissler
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 1:48 PM
To: serialst@simplelists.com
Subject: [SERIALST] Query about contract review and the role of procurement at academic libraries
CAUTION: External
Sender
Greetings NASIG and other serials colleagues,
Hope you all are safe and well!
Your assistance is needed to determine the role of procurement in contract review at academic libraries.
Please let me know if your library has the authority to review, approve, and sign its own vendor contracts (within approved financial thresholds) or if campus procurement has taken on this role
including signatory authority. Our library can no longer sign vendor price quotes or contract agreements which causes major delays in negotiating and renewing resources.
Backstory: about a year ago campus procurement implemented two new campus-wide requirements for contract review and technology review. To receive approval and obtain an authorized signature from
a procurement official, all vendor contracts/quotes must have Terms updated within the past 5 years AND undergo technology review to assess vendor compliance with accessibility requirements (VPAT, etc). The latter is a worthy goal but together these requirements
remove our ability to act in a timely manner or negotiate favorable terms that often need an expeditious turn around.
To make a case for library autonomy and regain our signatory authority, I seek evidence that academic libraries retain the authority to approve and sign their own contracts (within approved
financial thresholds) and to complete their own technology review process. Please respond to this query (and include the name of your school, if possible):
Thanks so much for your help!
Take good care and stay safe,
Laura
Laura Gewissler
Director of Collection Management Services
David W. Howe Memorial Library Rm 117
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
Prefer cell: 908-839-2810
Office line: 802-656-2204
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