Preference for Missouri Products and Firms

In keeping with the policy of the state of Missouri as declared in statutory law, the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri has adopted the following policy respecting preference for Missouri products and Missouri firms. [See also: 3:012 Participation by Minority Owned Business Enterprises, and 3:014 Preference for U.S. Products.]

University Policy

Missouri Products

Preference shall be given in respect to the products of the mines, forests and quarries of the state of Missouri, and all materials, commodities, products, supplies, provisions and all other articles produced, manufactured, mined or grown within the state of Missouri, provided that:

• They are of a quality suitable and are fit for the purpose intended.
• They can be secured without additional cost over foreign products or the products of other states.
• They are found in marketable quantities in the state.

Missouri Firms

Preference shall be given to all firms, corporations or individuals doing business as Missouri firms, corporations or individuals.

• Corporations not incorporated under the laws of Missouri and firms whose members are not residents of the state of Missouri and individuals not residents of the state of Missouri who have and maintain within the state of Missouri a regular place of business shall be deemed "doing business as Missouri firms, corporations or individuals" when consideration is being given to bids for acceptance by the University.

Tie Bids

In ca se of a tie bid between a Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) vendor and a non-MBE vendor, where both are Missouri firms, the award should go to the MBE vendor; however, if one vendor is a Missouri firm and the other is not, the award should go to the Missouri firm. [See 3:012 Participation by Minority Owned Business Enterprises.]

Exemption

Exemption from this policy may be granted where preferred products or services do not appear to be readily available and when one or more of the following conditions are met:

• The vice president for Finance and Administration of the University of Missouri finds that an emergency exists which renders time unavailable to search for preferred products and services.
• The amount involved in the contract or purchase is so small that the expense of advertising for requests for bids or the search for preferred products or services ca nnot be economically.
• The services contracted for are unique in character