Procurement professionals must have a highly developed sense of professional ethics to protect their own and their institution’s reputation for fair dealing. To strengthen ethical awareness and to provide guidelines for its members, the National Association of Educational Procurement NAEP (formerly NAEB) has long promoted a code of ethics.
1. Give first consideration to the objectives of my institution.
2. Strive to obtain the maximum value for each dollar of expenditure.
3. Decline Personal gifts or gratuities.
4. Grant all competitive suppliers equal consideration insofar as state or federal statute and institutional policy permit.
5. Conduct business with potential and current suppliers in an atmosphere of good faith, devoid of intentional misrepresentation.
6. Demand honesty in sales representation whether offered through the medium of a verbal or written statement, an advertisement, or a sample of the product.
7. Receive consent of originator of proprietary ideas and designs before using them for competitive purchasing purposes.
8. Make every reasonable effort to negotiate an equitable and mutually agreeable settlement of any controversy with a supplier within the established policies of my institution.
9. Accord a prompt and courteous reception insofar as conditions permit to all that call on legitimate business missions.
10. Cooperate with trade, industrial, and professional associations, and with governmental and private agencies for the purpose of promoting and developing sound business methods.
11. Foster fair, ethical and legal trade practices.
12. Counsel and cooperate with professional organizations and promote a spirit of unity and a keen interest in professional growth among them.
