Home
Competitive Selection
Conflict of Interest
Controlled Substances
Iowa Gift Law
Professional Services/PSAs
Sole Source Procurement
|
To comply with legislative changes and subsequent "Board of Regents, State of Iowa" (Regents) policy revisions, the Purchasing Department will have an increasing role in contracting for professional services. Professional services are defined as unique, technical and/or infrequent functions performed by an independent contractor qualified by education, experience and/or technical ability to provide services. In most cases these services are of a specific project nature, and are not a continuing, on-going responsibility of the institution. The services rendered are predominately intellectual in character even though the contractor may not be required to be licensed. Professional services engagements may involve partnerships, corporations, or individuals. Examples of "professional services" typically acquired by the University include consulting, marketing analysis, banking services, medical services, physicians, software development/design, graphic design, audit services and editing services.
Services which would not be considered "professional services" include repair services, small equipment rental, laboratory testing services, construction services, computer programming, etc. These services are often referred to as "routine services." Transactions involving "routine services" will be handled consistent with the University's procurement policy for the purchase of supplies. A professional services agreement need not be prepared, but prior to approval of the Purchasing Department is required (generally in the form of a purchase order). Purchasing Cards are not to be used for the acquisition of routine services, without prior approval of the Purchasing Card Administrator (294-4589).
In the past, University departments has delegated procurement authority to enter into Professional Services Agreements up to $25,000. Processing payments under this process involved creating a payment voucher or honorarium voucher for payment, attaching a copy of the Professional Services Agreement to the Contractor's (vendor's) invoice, and sending it to the Accounting Office for processing.
The University's policy on professional services is revised as follows:
- A new agreement format for professional services acquisitions has been developed. It is called the Professional Services Contractual Agreement (PSA). Departments should immediately discontinue using older PSA versions and begin utilizing the new agreement format. This agreement can be downloaded at:
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~purchasing/forms/PSA_12_2002.doc
- Professional Services Contractual Agreements (PSAs) where the total project expense (compensation, travel, lodging, etc.) is anticipated to exceed $25,000 are to be handled through a competitive selection process coordinated by the Purchasing Department.Selection of the Contractor will be based on a variety of criteria including, but not limited to: demonstrated competence, experience, knowledge, ability to meet the University's needs, references, methodology and unique qualifications. In addition, the Contractor must offer a fair and reasonable price consistent with current market conditions.
- Departments will continue to have the latitude to choose contractors and develop PSAs under $25,000, except where a conflict of interest exists. However, departments will be expected to document the selection process they have followed for all PSAs in excess of$2,000. The documentation should include the names of other Contractors that were considered and the reasons for the department's selection. This documentation is to accompany the PSA and a web requisition, which are to be sent to the Purchasing Department. Purchasing Cards are not to be used for the acquisition of professional services.
- All PSAs in excess of $2,000 will require review and approval by the Purchasing Department before the Contractor begins to perform the specified tasks. Until signed by the Purchasing Department, the PSA is not valid and the Contractor will not be paid for services performed.
- PSAs involving a Contractor, who represents a conflict of interest (referred to as a conflict of interest vendor), regardless of the projected total compensation, are to be handled by the Purchasing Department. Should the Contractor, the Contractor's spouse, or minor child be a paid employee of Iowa State University (ISU) or another Regent institution, a conflict of interest is created. In addition, should any individual, their spouse or minor child be a paid employee of ISU or another Regent instiution and also be either a partner in the Contractor's firm or own 5% or more of the Contractor's corporate stock, the Contractor represents a conflict of interest. PSAs may only be used when working with an independent contractor. They may not be used for situations involving employer/employee relationships or as a mechanism to provide additional compensation beyond an employee's current salary. To help determine whether the service provider is an independent contractor, refer to the following website:http://www.controller.iastate.edu/accounting/icdetermination.htm
- Total payments to a Contractor for services provided to any one University department under PSAs may not exceed $25,000 in a fiscal year, unless subject to competitive bidding or review and approval by the Purchasing Department.
- PSAs are not required for speakers, unless the speaker represents a conflict of interest. Contractors leading training sessions or conducting workshops are not considered to be speakers; therefore PSAs should be used. Individuals teaching a non-credit or for credit class by definition represent an employer/employee relationship and compensation should be sought through Payroll.
- PSAs are not required for entertainers, unless the entertainer represents a conflict of interest. Entertainers often have their own agreement forms. Departments are reminded not to sign vendor agreements. Purchasing will assist departments by reviewing and signing all such agreements prior to the event.
- Professional services associated with contracts and grants are no longer being handled by the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) and are now being handled by Purchasing. OSPA will continue to handle all subcontracts associated with federally funded contracts and grants.
- Architectural services, engineering services, construction managers and any specialized consultants related to the planning, design and construction of University facilities are to be coordinated through the ISU's Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M) Architectural and Engineering Services Office. The selection of architects, engineers and consultants for this purpose will be handled consistent with Regents policy on capital construction.
Additional information regarding this revised policy, the procurement and payment process to be utilized, and details on handling unique transactions can be found at the new Procurement websitehttp://www.public.iastate.edu/~purchasing/professional_services.htm. The Purchasing Department is available to answer questions related to professional services acquisitions. For assistance, contact Nancy S. Brooks, Director of Purchasing (294-8757) or call the general Purchasing number (294-4860). |
