This Purchasing Policies & Procedures Manual establishes the policies and procedures to be followed by VEDP employees fulfilling procurement and related logistical responsibilities within their delegated limits. VEDP employees shall utilize sound, prudent, and generally accepted purchasing practices when purchasing goods and services. All purchasing will support VEDP’s mission and will be in the best interest of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

As an independent authority, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership is exempt from the provisions of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA). VEDP will consider the benefits of established State contracts to procure certain goods and services. Such sources are not deemed “mandatory", and VEDP management is responsible for determining the appropriate and most desirable source for each procurement. All procurement policies and procedures are established by VEDP’s President and CEO within the authorization granted by VEDP’s Board of Directors.

VEDP Procurement Policies and Procedures do not apply to contractors with which VEDP, or any of its subsidiaries, may engage.

VEDP’s Board of Directors has adopted these policies for the procurement of goods and services. Such policies shall: guide all VEDP procurements and ensure that VEDP:

• Seeks competition to the maximum practical degree.

• Prohibits discrimination against a bidder or offeror based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ae, disability, status as a service disabled veteran, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law relating to discrimination in employment.

• Practices prompt payment principles for goods and services. Obtains high quality goods and services at a reasonable cost.

• Conducts all procurements in a fair and impartial manner, avoiding any impropriety or appearance of impropriety.

• Provides all qualified vendors reasonable access to public business and neither arbitrarily nor capriciously excludes or discriminates against any viable offeror.

• Practices openness and administrative efficiency.

• Allows flexibility in fashioning details of such competition.

• Provides clear rules, in advance of competition, governing contract awards.

• Draws specifications that reflect VEDP’s procurement needs, rather than being drawn to favor a particular vendor.

• Freely exchanges information between purchasers and vendors, inasmuch as such exchange does not negatively affect VEDP’s business objectives or violate associated confidentiality requirements.

This manual provides instruction to all VEDP employees as they identify and pursue goods and services procurements to fulfill VEDP’s business needs. However, as indicated herein, specific responsibilities and authorities have been defined for purchasing goods and services on VEDP’s behalf. All employees are therefore directed to the VEDP responsible party, prior to pursuing any procurement.

Certain procedures and forms referenced in this manual are subject to change, as VEDP continues to evolve its procurement operations and systems. In cases where this manual appears to contradict instructions on forms or other materials, these policies and procedures will take precedence.

The Controller and Procurement Manager are available to assist in any purchasing activity and to interpret and apply these policies and procedures. The provisions of this manual have been developed at the discretion of management and may be amended or canceled at any time at VEDP’s sole discretion. These provisions supersede all previously issued procurement policies and procedures and may not be amended or added to without the express written approval of VEDP’s President and CEO within the authorization granted by VEDP’s Board of Directors.

No member of VEDP management or representative has any authority to enter into any agreement contrary to these policies and procedures relative to contracts, purchases or other areas included in this manual.