Contacts with Purchasing Operations

The business hours for Purchasing Operations are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is located on the 2^nd Floor of the Stevens T. Mason Building, 530 W. Allegan Street in Lansing, and may be reached by calling (517) 335-0230.  All visitors must enter the Stevens T. Mason Building through the north entrance (off the plaza) and present picture identification.

Individuals wishing to meet personally with a buyer are encouraged to contact Purchasing Operations to arrange an appointment which is mutually convenient. While meeting with a buyer is not a requirement of participating and winning state bids, it is generally a good idea to make yourself and the business you represent known to the buyer.

Michigan Technical Assistance Centers

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation provides support to Michigan Technical Assistance Centers (MTAC) located throughout the state. This network of twelve locally-based offices provides government contract and export assistance. Highly skilled professionals assist businesses in acquiring federal and state government contracts, as well as identifying international product or service markets for exporting.

Awardability

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights is responsible for determining compliance with the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act as an equal opportunity employer. Purchasing Operations is prohibited from awarding contracts to businesses not complying with this law. Businesses which the Department of Civil Rights determines are non-awardable have no protest rights in Purchasing Operations. Inquiries concerning this policy should be directed to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

Buyer Contacts

All solicitations issued by Purchasing Operations contain the buyer's name, email address and telephone number. Questions concerning the solicitation should be made directly to the buyer. If they are unavailable when a telephone call comes in, the voice mail system is automatically activated which allows for leaving a name, telephone number, and a detailed message. In this fashion, the buyer is able to research the question and, when the return call is made, a detailed response can be provided. The option is always available to speak with a secretary if immediate attention is required.

State Agency Procurement Offices

In addition to Purchasing Operations, there are over 85 state agency procurement offices. These serve as a link between departmental programs and Purchasing Operations and also have delegated purchasing authority.

Additionally, state departments must order from existing agency-specific or statewide contracts for certain commodities. A department must solicit competitive bids unless the acquisition falls under monetary limits as authorized by Acquisition Services. Vendors interested in making direct contact with state agency procurement offices may view a directory listing online, or request the listing by calling the Purchasing Operations Customer Service Line at (517) 335-0230.

MiDEAL Purchasing Program (aka Extended Purchasing Program)

In addition to its responsibilities in acting as the agent to state agencies, Purchasing Operations provides purchasing services to any Michigan city, village, county, township, school district, non-profit hospital, public institution of higher education, or community or junior college if requested. This service to local units is known as the MiDEAL Purchasing Program (Michigan Delivering Extended Agreements Locally).

The MiDEAL Program provides an opportunity for a successful bidder to expand its business opportunities to the more than 500 jurisdictions which currently participate in the program.

While Purchasing Operations is ultimately responsible for each contract on the MiDEAL Program, the individual local jurisdictions are responsible for ordering, receiving and paying for goods and services. In the event of problems which the contractor and local jurisdiction cannot resolve, contact Purchasing Operations at (517) 335-0230.

Disclosure of Information

The documents Purchasing Operations issues or receives in soliciting, evaluating, and awarding procurements are available to the public for inspection and copying under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act.

Equipment/Product Demonstrations

The buyers in Purchasing Operations are interested in keeping informed regarding new products, technologies, and equipment that enter the marketplace. Vendors are encouraged to notify buyers of relevant demonstrations and trade exhibits.

Gifts and Gratuities

The State of Michigan has a rigid code of ethics for its employees (Public Act 196 of 1973). Purchasing Operations employees may not accept gifts or gratuities of any kind. In the event a gift is received at Purchasing Operations, it is the office policy to return it, or donate it to a charitable or non-profit organization.