Ethics in Public Contracting Meeting for September 20, 2001
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ETHICS IN PUBLIC CONTRACTING COMMITTEE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
September 20, 2001
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a meeting of the
Ethics in Public Contracting Committee on September 20, 2001, at the HCCS
Administrative Center, Chancellors Conference Room, 12th Floor, 3100 Main, Houston,
Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Christopher W. Oliver, Chair
Herman Litt
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Bruce A. Austin, Ex-Officio
Jay Aiyer
James R. Murphy
Michael P. Williams, D.Min.
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Pat Williamson, Vice Chancellor, Institutional Development
Sue Cox, President, HCC-Southwest
Jack Daniels, President, HCC-Central
Zach Hodges, President, HCC-Northwest
Nat Campos, Executive Director, Human Resources
Michael Kyme, Executive Director, Purchasing
Gloria Walker, Executive Director, System Accounting Operations
Isabel Nart, Director of Governmental Affairs
Dianne Bynum, Interim Director, Public Information & Marketing
Brenda Cox, Interim Assistant to the Chancellor
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Ethics in Public Contracting Meeting for September 20, 2001
OTHERS PRESENT
Arturo Michel, Bracewell & Patterson
Jorge Rodriguez, Coastal Securities
Other administrators, staff and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Oliver called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and declared the meeting convened
to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System as listed on
the duly posted meeting notice.
RESTRUCTURING OF SYSTEM PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND POLICIES/
PROCEDURES MICHAEL KYME
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Purchasing Department information is currently accessible from the HCCS website
Mr. Kyme reviewed issues and goals for the Purchasing Department
Provide 24-hour turnaround on requisitions less than $5,000
Increase historically underutilized business (HUB) presence
Increase quote threshold from $700 - $5,000
Primary focus on enhanced customer service and negotiating more favorable
contracts
Additional PeopleSoft training needed for purchasing staff
College has a good record of HUB participation, however, this has not been welldocumented
Shift HUBs from sub to prime contractors
Provide service and value to taxpayers, while ensuring HUB participation
There are over 3 million HUBs in the United States. We need to tap into these
resources
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM JOSE VILLARREAL
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Focus on getting procurement information out to vendors
Network with agencies to access HUBs
Provide educational services to vendors
Track information for reporting purposes
Adopt a policy objective to encourage HUB participation
Track contract award information
Businesses must meet SBA criteria
Schedule outreach events for vendors
Use micro business program for mentoring, i.e. "eCenter"
Interview successful participants to determine what works and what doesnt
Board Resolution to adopt program to be presented at October Board Meeting
Board Member Suggestions/Comments
❍ Network with companies and establish partnerships in training
❍ Have interlocal vendor contract
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Ethics in Public Contracting Meeting for September 20, 2001
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Provide RFPs early-on to Trustees
Bring networks to Colleges attention
Allow contractors to bundle
CAPITALIZATION THRESHOLD FOR CAPITAL ASSETS GLORIA WALKER
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HCCS current threshold limit is $700
State limit was raised to $5,000
Raise HCCS threshold to comply with GASB 35 accounting system
GASB 35 is an accounting standard used for governmental entities which allows an
institution to move to a business-type designation
Other community colleges in Texas have been asked to make similar requests
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at
5:30 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by:
Linda Gray, Administrative Assistant
Board Services
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted by:
Herman Litt, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted: October 30, 2001
HCCS Home | Board of Trustees
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