BC 2009 12 21 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 21, 2009 (Regular Meeting) Page 1722 Purchasing activity is the responsibility of the Purchasing Agent. Listed below are names and phone numbers: Sherri Barnhardt, CLGPO, CPPB Purchasing Agent/Contract Administrator (704) 920-2884 IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBJECTIVES A. Responsibilities It is the Purchasing Agent's responsibility to ensure that all purchases are made in accordance with the Policies of Cabarrus County and with North Carolina law. Successful purchasing requires active cooperation between Purchasing and the County departments it serves. Each entity has fundamental requirements for this mutually cooperative endeavor. The Purchasing Agent has the responsibility to: 1. Purchase or lease, for the use of the County and its agencies, boards, and commissions, all supplies, materials, and equipment needed; 2. Make all contracts or purchases in accordance with the County standard procedures and North Carolina law; 3. Make emergency purchases, leases, or contracts for supplies, materials, equipment, and services for County Departments; 4. Assist in the development of standard specifications for all supplies, materials, or equipment purchased through Purchasing, with the cooperation of the Departments; and, 5. Handle the day-to-day functions as it relates to Purchasing. B. Objectives 1. To conduct business with integrity, fairness and dignity so as to maintain public trust and reduce the government's exposure to criticism and legal action; 2. To secure the proper materials, equipment, and services at the appropriate quality and quantity, on a timely basis, as efficiently as possible, and at the lowest overall cost; 3. To conserve public funds by obtaining the best products and services for the dollars spent; 4. To provide all customers with quality service in a manner that is courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless; 5. To maintain continuity of supply to support on-going service, operations and construction schedules; 6. To furnish timely information to management and appropriate departments covering market conditions and trends, and the probably effect on supply and price; 7. To assure vendors that impartial and equal treatment is afforded to all who wish to do business with the County; 8. To secure, whenever possible, competitive prices on purchases; 9. To establish specifications which will encourage competition and accurately describe the equipment, materials, and services needed; and, 10. To be receptive to changes in material and requirements and new products and procedures. C. Departmental Responsibilities The policy of Cabarrus County is that departments will: 1. Accept purchasing authorities; 2. Put forth an effort in good faith to comply with these policies and established procurement procedures without reservation or evasion; 3. Prepare acceptable specifications that define the quantity and quality of goods and services needed to perform a specific function without undue influence or personal preference; 4. Allow the time necessary for Purchasing to select a vendor and for the vendor to deliver; 5. Receive and inspect items delivered and report vendor performance good or bad;