Procurement Services

Mission

The role of Procurement Services is to provide efficient and responsive assistance to university departments in purchasing goods and services in accordance with state-mandated guidelines, while striving to obtain best value pricing. Our mission is to offer the highest level of customer service to the campus community and to support the educational mission of UAFS.

Competitive Sealed Bids

UA Fort Smith makes all purchases in accordance with the procurement laws of the State of Arkansas. Unless specifically exempt funds are utilized, State law requires use of the Competitive Sealed Bid process on all purchases, which exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00). Competitive Sealed Bids are advertised in a newspaper having statewide circulation and/or posted by electronic media, and then opened and read publicly on the date and time specified in the advertisement.

Bid responses should be submitted on the printed bid document, in a SEALED envelope clearly marked with the bid number, date, and time of opening.

• Contract and Grant Disclosure and Certification Form (EO 98-04)
• Equal Opportunity Policy

Minority Policy

It is the policy of the State of Arkansas to support equal opportunity as well as economic development. It recognizes that minority business enterprises shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in the state procurement process. UAFS invites and encourages all minority-owned business enterprises to participate and compete in the purchasing process for goods, services, and construction projects.

Minority Procurement Goal

With the establishment of Act 1222 of 2009, UA Fort Smith is partnering with the Small and Minority Business Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission in an endeavor to reach a minimum procurement goal of ten percent (10%) with minority-owned businesses. This is an annual spending goal for state-funded public construction programs and in the purchase of goods and services which are under the university’s control and which can be affected by the minority purchasing plan.

Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated 15-4-313 defines “minority” as a lawful permanent resident of this state who is: a) an African American; b) an Hispanic American; c) an American Indian; or d) an Asian Pacific Islander; “Minority business enterprise” means a business that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one (1) or more minority persons as defined in this section.

Procurement Card

The State of Arkansas procurement card (P-Card) is a commercial VISA purchasing card issued by U.S. Bank. It is an alternative to the existing requisition and purchase order process, but the P-Card is subject to the same procurement laws and regulations. The P-Card enables cardholders to purchase allowed low-dollar commodities directly from the merchant by telephone, in person, or Internet. For questions concerning the P-Card program call Danthea Metcalf at 479-788-7070, or email danthea.metcalf@uafs.edu.