The manual implements the state’s procurement statutes,
administrative rule, and policy to guide agencies in the public
procurement process.
The manual describes best practices to clarify the law governing
procurement in the state. In conjunction with Oregon statutes and
administrative rules, the manual supports the state’s direction to:
- Simplify, clarify and modernize procurement practices so that they reflect the marketplace and industry standards.
- Provide a foundation for ethical and fair dealing in public contracting.
- Promote efficient use of the state’s resources.
- Identify and implement legislatively mandated socioeconomic programs.
- Provide guidance on “arriving at best value".
- Conduct procurements that preserve competitive bidding as the
standard for public improvement contracts unless otherwise exempted.
The manual is a guide, and not the ultimate authority or legal
advice, for public procurement in the state. While the manual addresses
general principles of procurement law, exceptions to these principles
exist. An agency should consult with legal counsel or the appropriate
Department of Administrative Services (DAS) State Procurement Services
resource to address specific situations not covered by the manual.
The state’s primary procurement resources and guidance include:
- Procurement manual.
- Procurement tools and templates.
- DAS procurement training.
Additionally, Oregon agencies must follow procurement provisions contained in:
- Oregon Revised Statutes 279A, B and C.
- DAS Statewide Policy.
- Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 125 and 137.
- The Oregon Accounting Manual.
- Other chapters of Oregon statute that direct procurement in the state, including ORS190A, ORS200.
Applicability
The manual outlines the processes and methods for planning and
managing an agency’s procurement activities. The guidance is applicable
to all agencies under DAS procurement authority. An agency’s procurement
authority comes from either its own statutory authority, from a written
delegation of authority by DAS, or by DAS Administrative Rule. Refer to
Determine Authority
for more information on agency procurement authority. Throughout the
manual, a “requesting agency” is one that operates under DAS procurement
authority. A “procuring agency” is an agency with delegated procurement
authority by statute or by DAS.
Specific procedures and resources, and the capabilities that
support procurement activities vary widely from agency to agency. The
manual’s alignment with Oregon statutory requirements, Department of
Justice (DOJ) model rule, DAS administrative rule, statewide policy and
the state’s accounting practices, ensures that an agency is following
procurement practices prescribed by these authorities.
DAS Procurement Services requires agencies under its procurement
authority to follow the processes described in the manual and
recommends, but does not mandate use of the manual by other public
entities in the state. An agency’s use of the resources and support
provided through the manual, including the tools, templates and
training, however, will facilitate uniformity and consistency in an its
procurement process.
Updates
The manual is an online publication maintained according to the
state’s record retention requirements. Refer to the Secretary of State’s
Records Management website for information on records retention policy.
DAS Procurement Services manages manual revisions and updates in
concert with changes to statute, administrative rule and policy. DAS
maintains a revision history that reflects substantive changes to
content and the effective date of those changes.
How to Use the Manual
The manual describes standard procedures and sound business
practices that implement statutory requirements regarding procurement of
products, services and construction. To obtain an overview of the
procurement life cycle, refer to
Procurement Overview.
In addition to detailing procurement processes and practices, the
manual presents a roadmap of the procurement process to guide agencies
from start to finish through the various stages of the full procurement
lifecycle. An agency can tailor the roadmap to meet the requirements of
the procurement.
The manual is organized by the general activities that support the
procurement life cycle – from planning and preparing a procurement to
administering and closing out a contract.
Additional Resources
Procurement Resources
Each section of the manual includes access to forms, templates,
checklists, and other tools. These resources appear as links located in
the top right corner of each page, as applicable. Alternatively, a
procurement professional can access
Forms and Templates which provides a library of all mandatory and recommended procurement tools.
Procurement Training
DAS Procurement Services has implemented a training and development
program to ensure that agency personnel involved in the procurement
process are knowledgeable of the laws and policies that govern public
procurement in Oregon.
State law requires agency personnel that are directly involved in
administering a state contract over $150,000 to obtain the DAS Contract
Administration Training Certificate. Refer to
DAS Procurement Services Training for more information on these requirements and all procurement-related training.