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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

'Best Practice' Review Leads to Future Enhancements in Purchasing Processes

Houston, Dec. 18, 2018 - As part of a commitment to service excellence and streamlined processes and procedures, the UH Purchasing Department is taking initial steps toward long-range strategic enhancements following a 6-month comprehensive review and assessment by a third-party consultant.

The findings will enable effective planning for the future in a systematic way based on feedback from key customers, as well as incorporating industry best practices within the University environment in support of campus community partners.

As a result of the findings, several high-level changes and improvements are already underway through the phased timeline, including the following enhancements:

  • an increased staffing model and structuring support framework by four teams of approximately two people each to align dedicated resources to department and colleges accordingly as a regular point of contact;
  • an office space conversion to support additional staff;
  • procuring institutional contracts for commonly sourced goods and services, i.e., office supplies, promotional products, etc., as well the endorsement of defined cooperative agreements to achieve savings opportunities and efficiency in operations;
  • creating heightened opportunities for engagement of the University's Historically Underutilized Business program through institutional agreement process; and
  • building an enhanced online resource repository with streamlined, standardized forms, procurement processes, tools and updates.

Through implementation of these enhancements over time, the intent is to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of overall operations in support of strategic objectives and the University mission overall. More information on the status of key updates will be provided as completed throughout the process.


About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 46,300 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.