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Dear Valued Vendor,
As the Interim Superintendent, I want to share with you that Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) values its relationship with each of its vendors. We clearly recognize that a strong, principled, and positive working relationship with our business partners is critical to providing the highest quality services and conditions for our students and staff.
My team’s initial assessment of our procurement activities revealed that we can enhance communications with vendors. Routine communications that keep our vendor community well-informed are essential to maintaining awareness, increasing understanding, and ensuring compliance with Shelby County Schools’ Board policies and procedures. Our goal is to strictly adhere to federal, state, and local governance. The following is a high-level summary of some Board policies vital to our relationship. The actual documents are available in the Board Policy Manual on the MSCS website.
Board Policy 2006, Purchasing Authority
Establishes governance and procedures to ensure competitive bidding and a resulting award to the vendor with the best and lowest bid. All purchasing awards above $500 MUST be executed with a written purchase order before any work can begin. Additionally, our Account Payable Team will not process any payment without the appropriate written purchase order.
Note: Board Policy 2006 allows for emergency purchasing for unforeseen situations that involve an imminent risk to safety and security of human life and possibly property.
Board Policy 2012, Contract Requirements, Approval and Signatory Authority
Provides information on the definitions of various situations that MUST have a fully executed written contract to conduct business with MSCS.
Board Policy 2013, Professional Services Contracts
Asserts that professional services contracts are NOT awarded on a competitive basis. Rather, they are used to acquire highly specialized expertise based on qualifications first and foremost.
Board Policy 2010, Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise Participation
Establishes a program for our entire vendor community to ensure MWSBEs can fully participate in the expenditure of public funds.
Board Policy 2018, Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Applies to employees, entities, and vendors doing business with MSCS. MSCS is firmly committed to preventing, detecting, and responding to all fraudulent activities. Our goal is to operate with the unquestionable integrity that is paramount to our success.
Board Policy 4003, Conflict of Interest
Asserts that MSCS will conduct our associations with all individuals, entities, and vendors with the highest degree of integrity. We hold all employees, individuals, entities, and vendors strictly accountable to uphold the public trust.
I encourage you to visit our website and read through these and other pertinent Board policies. On the website, you will find additional information to ensure we continue to have great relationships. The taxpayers demand integrity and honesty, and together, we owe it to our students to model this behavior. I am grateful for your interest in doing business with MSCS as we work diligently to lift our community by educating and equipping children for a great future.
Best,
Interim Superintendent & CFO
Tutonial “Toni” Williams
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