UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH POLICY 05-02-02

CATEGORY:        FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
SECTION:         Purchasing
SUBJECT:         Conflict of Interest and Procurement Relationships
EFFECTIVE DATE:  March 12, 2003 Revised
PAGE(S):         1

I.   SCOPE
     
     This policy establishes the responsibilities of all persons with
     purchasing authority in dealing with suppliers who provide goods
     and services to the University.
     
II.  POLICY
     
     All individuals with purchasing authority on behalf of the
     University must avoid any behavior that involves a real conflict
     of interest and any appearance, however remote, of using
     affiliation with the University as a means of furthering personal
     interests.
     
     No member of a purchasing unit should accept entertainment,
     gifts, or favors provided by persons with whom the University has
     business dealings under circumstances that suggest that the donor
     intends to influence the judgment or conduct of the purchasing
     staff.
     
     -    Courtesy gifts such as flowers, as well as unsolicited
          advertising or promotional materials (pencils, calendars,
          etc.) of nominal intrinsic value may be accepted.
     
     No member of a purchasing unit should serve as an officer,
     director, or in any other management capacity for a company or
     organization doing or seeking to do business with the University.
     
     No member of a purchasing unit should serve in any capacity in
     any other organization where his or her judgment regarding
     University affairs may be influenced by concern for the success
     of the outside enterprise.
     
     No member of a purchasing unit should request or accept from any
     individual or organization doing or seeking to do business with
     the University, a favor or special consideration for himself or
     any member of his family that will result in any direct or
     indirect financial gain.
     
     No member of a purchasing unit should engage directly or
     indirectly in a personal financial transaction that primarily
     relies upon information obtained through his University
     employment and is not otherwise common knowledge.
     
     In cases where it is not clear whether such conflict could exist,
     the situation should be referred to the Director of Purchasing.
     
     As a condition of employment, all individuals authorized to
     commit University funds or purchase goods and services are
     required to sign a Conflict of Interest Certification.  See
     Procedure 05-02-02, Conflict of Interest and Procurement
     Relationships.
     
III. REFERENCE

     Procedure 05-02-02, Conflict of Interest and Procurement
     Relationships