News & Events
Last updated on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 3:28 PM
Scams - Beware
Always keep in mind that no one is authorized to purchase items for the Health Science Center without a Purchase Order, regardless of what a vendor may tell you. Please beware that there are many unreliable suppliers out there, with most being nothing more than scams. Departments can easily become victimized by a series of fraudulent invoices. Anyone within the HSC community could become a prime target. The common scam is when a make-believe company sends out an invoice for products that have never been ordered or shipped. If payment is not forthcoming, it's also not unusual for them to contact a staff member in the targeted department and threaten them with turning the invoice over to a collection agency. To deter this type of fraudulent activity, please do not attempt to resolve or process any invoices if you should receive a suspicious call. However, you should contact us or the HSC Department of Accounts Payable immediately.
Additionally, never approve payment for any product or service that you can not confirm. In the near future, a list of precautions will be posted under Scams and Alerts. In the meantime, the HUB and Procurement Services Office is here to assist you in obtaining the best price and the right vendor for your items. Just give us a call at (979)458-7282 or periodically check the web site for updates.
End-of-Year Requisition
The following memo is being offered to faculty and staff regarding end-of-the-year purchase requisition guidelines. If you should have any question concerning the procurement process, please contact Robby Bounds at 979-458-7281 or Susan Warren at 979-458-7282.
HUB Training
Looking for ways to identify HUB vendors for procurements? Look no further. HUB Operations and Procurement Services is offering the following training presentation on what the HUB Program is about and on how to identify HUB vendors for procurements. The presentation was developed using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003.
Note: When you click on the presentation and Quick View Plus for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 97/98 opens, go to the Microsoft Office Powerpoint icon on the Quick View Plus taskbar. Click the icon and save a file copy of the presentation to your desktop. When a new window opens, click F5 on your keyboard to view the presentation as it was intended.
Texas State Use Program - Works Wonders Program
After recently attending a very successful TIBH Expo, sponsored by our institution and other members of the System, it is a good time to send out a reminder about the importance of purchasing from the Works Wonders program.
In 1978, the Texas State Use Program was implemented by TIBH (formerly Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped) to increase employment and wages, and ultimately enhance the lives of Texans with disabilities. This initiative resulted from the efforts of the Texas Legislature, who created the State Use Program under Chapter 122 of the Human Resources Code.
In the 27 years since its successful implementation, the State Use Program continues to set new marks for the number of Texans with disabilities employed, and in the past year, over $24 million in wages were paid to these individuals for work on state and local government contracts. To help enhance familiarity and increase involvement, the State Use Program recently adopted a new name — Works Wonders.
Though this program has not had the exposure of other State sponsored initiatives, most notably the HUB program, purchasing from Works Wonders is actually REQUIRED by Chapter 122 of the Human Resources Code. Chapter 122.008, Procurement at Determined Price, states, "A suitable product or service that meets applicable specifications established by the state or its political subdivisions and that is available within the time specified MUST be procured from a community rehabilitation program at the price determined by the council to be the fair market price."
Please browse the TIBH catalog, http://tibh.org/, to see the extensive list of products available to you. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions concerning this program and for some exciting new information about partnership initiatives between TIBH and some of our current vendors. For more information, please contact the HSC State Use Coordinator, Robby Bounds, Senior Procurement Officer, at 979-458-7281. He encourages the use of this program, not because it is required, but because it is the right thing to do.
Health Science Center Again Ranks Among the Best
The Health Science Center ranks among the top 25 agencies spending more than $5 Million with the largest percentage spent with HUBs.
The Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC) recently released information regarding the HUB performance of state agencies and institutions of higher education for the period of September 1 thru August 31 (fiscal year 2006). The Health Science Center Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program has been identified with expending more than 30 percent with HUB vendors.
For more information, visit the TBPC Fiscal Year 2006 Annual HUB Report.
Vendors Guide to Procurement Process
If you are a vendor interested in doing business with the Health Science Center, please take a moment to read the following document:
Vendors Guide to Procurement Process
Note: Adobe Reader is required to view the Vendor's Guide. To get the latest version of Adobe Reader, click below.
Change in Procurement Process
Effective September 1, 2005, all purchases of goods and services in excess of $5,000.00 that formerly were routed through the Texas A&M; University Department of Purchasing Services will now be processed through the Health Science Center HUB and Procurement Services Office. Please refer to the following memorandum:
Note: Adobe Reader is required to view the memorandum. To get the latest version of Adobe Reader, click below.
Calendar of Events 2006-2007
- Small, Minority & Women Business Owners Conference, San Antonio, December 7-8
