Public employees must discharge their duties impartially so as to assure fair, competitive access to governmental procurement by responsible contractors. Moreover, they should conduct themselves in such a manner as to foster public confidence in the integrity of the City of Port Arthur's procurement organization.

Any employee that makes purchases for the City is an agent of the City and is required to follow the City's Code of Ethics. Additionally, the City's Purchasing Division is a member of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), a national organization of procurement professionals. As members of NIGP, the Purchasing Division believes that the following NIGP ethical principles should govern the conduct of every person employed by a public sector procurement or materials management organization.

A Procurement Professional:

Source: National Institute of Governmental Purchasing

• Seeks or accepts a position as head (or employee) only when fully in accord with the professional principles applicable thereto and when confident of possessing the qualifications to serve under those principles to the advantage of the employing organization.
• Believes in the dignity and worth of the service rendered by the organization, and the societal responsibilities assumed as a trusted public servant.
• Is governed by the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order to merit the respect and inspire the confidence of the organization and the public being served.
• Believes that personal aggrandizement or personal profit obtained through misuse of public or personal relationships is dishonest and not tolerable.
• Identifies and eliminates participation of any individual in operational situations where a conflict of interest may be involved.
• Believes that an official or employee of a public entity should at no time, or under any circumstances, accept directly or indirectly, gifts, gratuities, or other things of value from suppliers, which might influence or appear to influence purchasing decisions.
• Keeps the governmental organization informed, through appropriate channels, on problems and progress of applicable operations by emphasizing the importance of the facts.
• Resists encroachment on control of personnel in order to preserve integrity as a professional manager.
• Handles all personnel matters on a merit basis, and in compliance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of politics, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, age, pregnancy and other protected characteristics.
• Seeks or dispenses no personal favors. Handles each administrative problem objectively and empathetically, without discrimination

Breach of any one of the aforementioned responsibilities is grounds for the City's Purchasing Manager to declare the vendor irresponsible. This designation will bar that vendor from recommendation for any contracts and removal from the qualified bidder's list.

• Please call ahead for appointments whenever possible.
• Refrain from social calls, your time is valuable.
• Make sure we have current catalogs and pricing, or access to your website with this information. It is mutually beneficial for us to be kept up to date on new ideas or products.
• Recognize our limitations regarding authority. A purchase order is issued only after compliance with federal, state and local laws. Do not proceed with any work or purchase any materials until you have received a purchase order number.
• Direct all solicitations to the Purchasing Division prior to visiting a specific City department. This will ensure that you will be directed to the appropriate person within the department as needed.
• Conduct your business openly and frankly. As a public agency, our records are a matter of public record.
• Quote realistic delivery dates (in calendar days).
• Honor all pricing, delivery, and service agreements as quoted.
• Maintain City policy regarding gifts or favors. no City employee may accept any gifts or favors. The best favor you can do is to see that the City receives the best price, quality and service.
• Please call us if you have any questions 409-983-8160.