University Procurement (also referred to as the Purchasing Department) oversees the strategic direction and operational efficiency of procurement activities for the entire OU system, including the Norman, Health Sciences Center, and Tulsa campuses. Such activities include administering all steps of the procurement cycle, covering core procurement actions such as market analysis, sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and supplier relationship management for goods and services. University Procurement is responsible for developing appropriate procurement policies and processes addressing these procurement activities to provide the University community, including faculty, staff, students, and potential suppliers, with the essential information and steps for making procurement-related decisions.
University Procurement has three primary objectives:
- Support the University’s Mission by Creating Value - Assist departments, and business units and their faculty, staff, and students can effectively and efficiently accomplish their academic, research, and administrative mission by developing efficient purchasing practices, engaging internal customers, managing supplier relationships, leveraging the buying power of the University, State of Oklahoma, and other cooperative groups and associations, negotiating cost-effective contracts, and making procurement decisions in the best interest of the University.
- Ensure Open, Fair, and Honest Processes - An open, competitive process ensures fair and equitable treatment of potential suppliers, avoids conflicts of interests, increases the value to the University, protects against fraud, waste, or misuse, and builds trust and confidence in University processes.
- Maintain Accountability and Transparency - Inform and educate University administration, faculty, staff, students, alumnus, taxpayers, elected officials or bodies, and the general public on how the University uses and manages its resources and protects against waste or fraud. Transparency is essential to building and maintaining a relationship of trust and confidence between the University and the public.