Mission Statement
The mission of the Procurement Services Department is to support the goals of Norfolk State University by providing assistance with the procurement of high quality goods and services at competitive prices. We achieve our mission by:
- Offering excellence in customer service by exceeding our customers’ need through professional engagement;
- Promoting sustainable partnerships with the vendor community;
- Maintaining a commitment to exceptional financial stewardship and fiscal responsibility;
- Exhibiting professional and personal integrity;
- Supporting professional development;
- Embracing best practices.
To make day-to-day business transactions routine.
Fundamental Purchasing Principles
The fundamental principles for competitive procurement are set outlined in Section 2.2-4300, Code of Virginia, Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA), 1950 as amended which promotes:
- All procurement transactions are conducted in a fair, economical and impartial manner, with avoidance of any impropriety or the appearance of impropriety;
- All procurement transactions with non-governmental entities, regardless of funding, shall be subject to the VPPA;
- All qualified vendors have access to public business;
- No offeror or bidder arbitrarily or capriciously excluded;
- Competition be sought to the maximum feasible degree;
- Rules governing contract awards be made clear in advance of the competition;
- Specifications reflect the procurement needs of the agency rather than being drawn to favor a particular vendor;
- Free exchange of information concerning what is sought to be procured and what is offered by the University and the vendor community;
- All solicitations and future procurements are posted on the Commonwealth of Virginia portal, Electronic Virginia (eVA).
Procurement Services has been given the responsibility and assigned signature authority by the agency head to ensure that the acquisition of goods and services are compliant. Policy 43-14, General Purchasing Policy, details the University’s signature delegation. These delegations shall include the training needed to ensure compliance with established regulations.
All contracts awarded or authorized, whether verbally or in writing, by individuals without authority to do so are void from the beginning. These individuals may be held personally liable for payment.
No Employee shall contractually commit the University without appropriate written authorization from Procurement Services.