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Jacqueline Saunders, Director
2597 Avery Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38112 Room 126
(901) 416-5376
saundersjc@mcsk12.net

Click here to view Memphis City Schools policy # 2.806 Bids, Purchases and Board Approval

For those vendors who may require the use of a computer in order to review any prospective bid opportunities, MCS Procurement Services will provide time to use our Computer Corner for our vendors. The Computer Corner is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Get more information about the Computer Corner here.

Please call 901.416.5376 to sign up to review upcoming bids.

Note: We ask that all vendors who wish to use this free service sign up for a 20 minute block of time.

MISSION & VISION:

Procurement Services exists to serve the needs of all schools, offices, teachers and staff of the Memphis City Schools. The role of Procurement Services is to ensure that our customers have the appropriate tools to teach our children and to lead them into the 21st century. Divisional Goals are to: Lead in Customer Service, Lead in Efficiency through Technology and to Lead in Accountability.

The Memphis City Schools Procurement Services Division is responsible for the purchase of all goods and services for over 185 elementary, middle and high schools, various offices, and outlying sites. The division serves over 118,000 students in the Memphis area. The Procurement Services Division is committed to the purchase of all commodities at the best value within an environment of fair and open competition.

The Procurement Services Division is a member of the Tennessee Association of School Business Officials, and we subscribe to the standards of the National Association of Purchasing Management as well as the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.

The Procurement Services Division operates under the Department of Contract Services. Procurement Services staff are governed by Federal and State laws, city ordinances, and Memphis City Schools Policy. The purchases of all products and services are handled with the best interests of Memphis City Schools in mind, and appropriate records are maintained of all purchases.

Memphis City Schools Procurement Services is committed to working within the community to increase levels of spending with Local Small Business Enterprises as well as all Local Vendors.

Local Vendor Preference
In compliance with the resolution requiring the establishment of a Local Preference Purchasing Program adopted by the Board of Commissioners at the regular meeting of June 6, 2005, Memphis City Schools has determined that it is in the best interest of the city to give a Local Preference to Local Businesses in Shelby County, Tennessee.

Local Preference means that if the lowest responsive bidder is a regional or non-local business, then all bids received from responsive Local Businesses shall be decreased by five (5) percent. The original bid is not changed; the five (5) percent decrease is calculated only for the purposes of determining the Local Preference. The Local Preference cost differential is not to exceed $100,000.00.

This preference shall only apply when:
The total dollar purchase is $10,000 or more;
The vendor has a valid Shelby County business license, issued by Shelby County at least six (6) months prior to bid or proposal opening date;
The vendor has a physical business address located within the limits of said locality (excluding P.O. Boxes); the vendor has been doing business in Shelby County, Tennessee for a year or more;
In the case of Request for Proposals and other selected competitive negotiation, Local Businesses shall be assigned five (5) percent of the total points of the total evaluation points up to a maximum of five (5) points.

In the event of a tie between a local and non-local vendor, the tie shall be broken in favor of the local vendor.

In order to receive or be considered for Local Preference the following is required:

Each vendor must provide a copy of Shelby County Business License;
Each vendor must provide proof of payment of Shelby County Personal Property Taxes

Exclusions – This preference shall not apply to purchases

Funded in whole or part by a governmental entity
Purchases or contracts made under emergency or non competitive situations
Application of the Local Preference may be waived upon written justification and recommendation of Memphis City Schools Board of Commissioners

Open Door Policy for Vendors

The Procurement Services Division maintains an open door policy for vendors. Our business hours are 7:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. We welcome vendors from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Vendors who would like to review any bids or proposals are encouraged to call ahead and talk with the appropriate buyer prior to arriving in Procurement Services. This will afford us the opportunity to serve our customers more quickly by having all documents ready for review.

Vendors may call on our schools, given that the Principal has agreed to see the salesperson before the salesperson arrives at the school. Please remember, schools are busy places, with the most important task of all-educating our children.

Vendors are encouraged to call on the Procurement Services division before visiting a school-we may save the vendor a trip by answering any questions that arise.

The Procurement Services Division is located at 2597 Avery, Memphis, Tennessee. 38112. Room 126. We are housed in the Frances E. Coe Administration Building between Union and Central.