Selective Purchasing Policy Guide

Local/Small Business Selective Purchasing Policy

 
Issue Description: Many organizations have a small economic footprint in their communities. But no matter how small that may be, there is always the opportunity to support the local community and make this known. With this in mind, some organizations choose to waive the lowest price they might pay for goods or services in order to support the local economy. It is often helpful to delineate the scope of decisions in this area of vendor choice. A two-page resource on the benefits of purchasing locally is available through the American Independent Business Alliance. http://www.amiba.net/pdf/benefits_doing_biz_locally.pdf

Sample wording: “XXX (synod/congregation/organization) chooses to support our local small business community through our purchasing power. Therefore we make a commitment to purchase the following items from our local small businesses:

     examples, not exclusive) 
          Printing services
          Cleaning services
          Catering”

Resources:
American Independent Business Alliance - http://www.amiba.net/

Examples:
Columbia University - http://www.finance.columbia.edu/hr/resources/PurchasingPolicies.ppt

University of Iowa - http://www.uiowa.edu/~purchase/purchase/P_vendors/small_bus_util.htm

Northwestern University - http://www.northwestern.edu/uservices/purchasing/policy.pdf