MLSPC Operating Statement

ARTICLE I
PURPOSE

The Michigan Life Science Purchasing Consortium (MLSPC) is established to consolidate Member Institution's purchasing power for commonly used supplies, equipment and services in order to gain commercial advantages not possible for Member Institutions acting alone. Participation in the MLSPC is strictly voluntary. Obligations and liabilities are the responsibility of individual Member Institutions and not the MLSPC as a whole. To further such purposes, MLSPC will endeavor to operate the consortium in a manner that will provide for high productivity by the consortium Members. The foregoing is exemplary of the activities of MLSPC, but still not to be taken to preclude other activities, which advance the purpose of MLSPC.

ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP

The Member Institutions will be Michigan State University, The University of Michigan, Van Andel Institute, and Wayne State University.

ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

General Powers. The affairs of MLSPC shall be managed by its Board of Directors ("Board"). The Board shall have the responsibility for the competitive process management and publishing of procurement contracts. The Board shall consist of one representative from each Member Institution; institution representative are to be designated by the institution's appropriate authority. These representatives will be persons responsible for procurement activities. The Board may enter into such contracts purchase agreements, other legal arrangements, relationships, and authorize payments as required, as are otherwise lawful and as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of MLSPC; provided that Member Institutions shall not be bound with respect to any MLSPC contract unless such Member Institution provides written intent or acknowledgement to participate in the contract. The Board may delegate such responsibilities and authority, as it deems necessary.

Meetings. The Board shall meet as needed, but at least annually Meetings of Member Institutions will be held as necessary with reasonable notice as determined by the Board. The meeting shall be held on such date, at such hour and in such place as may be designated by the Board. Except for the annual meeting, meetings may be held by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all representatives can participate.

Quorum. A majority of all representatives then in office shall be present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting of the Board in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the representatives present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, unless the act of a greater number is required by the MLSPC Operating Principles. All Directors are entitled to one vote. A written proxy of a representative may be voted by another representative of any Member or by a designated alternate representative of the same Member.

Conduct of Meetings. The Chairperson, or in the Chairperson's absence, any representative chosen by those present, shall call meetings of the Board to order and shall act as the presiding officer of the meeting. The order of business at a meeting of the Board shall be determined by the presiding representative.

Action without meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing and the writing is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board. No action will be taken without the unanimous consent of the Committee.

Negotiations. The Committee will negotiate prices, terms and conditions (Master Terms and Conditions) with vendors for the common benefit of the Member Institutions. Individual Member Institutions will contract with Vendors. The MLSPC will not contract for itself or on behalf of Member Institutions. Member Institutions, however, will benefit from the Master Terms and Conditions.

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

Designations and Method of Selection. Officers of MLSPC shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer, and such other officers as determined by the Board. Officers shall be elected by the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. Any vacancies in any office shall be filled by the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board. Each officer shall serve for one year and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The Same officer can be elected to a new one year term.

Chairperson. The Chairperson shall:

  • When present, preside at all meeting of the Board.
  • In general, perform all duties incident to the office and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the board

Secretary. The Secretary shall: Keep or cause to be kept in one or more books the minutes of the meetings of the Board and any committee established by the Board.

  • Insure that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the Operating Principles
  • Be custodian of the funds and records of the MLSPC
  • Insure that the books, reports, statements, and other documents and records are properly kept and filed.
  • In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Seretary and such other duties as from time to tie may be assigned by the Board.

Agents. The Board shall have the power to appoint any person or entity as an agent for MLSPC to perform such duties as are authorized by the Board.

ARTICLE V
PRINCIPLES

Ethical Conduct. The MLSPC shall act in accordance with the National Association of Educational Buyers code of ethics throughout the purchasing process.

Institutional autonomy. Each Member Institution will determine if they wish to benefit from the Master Terms and Conditions.

Commitment to diversity. MLSPC decisions will be made with full consideration toward minority, woman-owned and otherwise disadvantaged business.

Participation by Non-MLSPC Members. The MLSPC may vote to extend participation in individual MLSPC contract to colleges, universities and non-profit entities organized for the purpose of advancing higher education. The decision to extend participation in a MLSPC contract to a particular entity shall be by two-thirds vote of all the MLSPC Board Representatives with voting rights presently in office.

Commitment to utilize technology as it evolves. The MLSPC is committed to utilize technology to the fullest in the procurement process. Electronic ordering, billing and connection to vendor electronic catalogs are some of the possibilities under this section.

ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS

These Operating Principles may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds vote of all the Representatives then in office. Any proposed amendment to these Operating Principles must be provided in writing to each Representative not less than thirty (30) days before the meeting to consider the amendment.


ARTICLE II
AMENDMENT #1

As of September 26, 2003, Western Michigan University is hereby added to the Michigan Life Science Purchasing Consortium.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Pamela D. George, C.P.M. 
Director University Services

REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Philip M. Abruzzi 
Director Purchasing, Stores & Auxiliary Services

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE
Richard M. Disbrow, C.P.M. 
Director - Purchasing

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Joan Gossman, C.P.M. 
Director - Purchasing

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Don Penskar 
Director Logistical Services


ARTICLE II
AMENDMENT #2

As of September 24, 2010, Grand Valley State University is hereby added to the Michigan Life Science Purchasing Consortium.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Kimberly Kokenakes, CPM  
Director University Services

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Kim Patrick   
Director Purchasing

REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 
Nancy Hobbs   
Director of Procurement Services

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE
Richard M. Disbrow, C.P.M.
Director - Purchasing

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Kenneth Doherty, C.P.M.  
Assistant Vice President, Procurement

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Don Penskar 
Director Logistical Services


ARTICLE II
AMENDMENT #3

As of January 11, 2013, the following individuals are the Board and Voting Members of the Michigan Life Science Purchasing Consortium  (see signature page).

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Kimberly Kokenakes, CPM  
Director University Services

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Valerie Rhodes-Sorrelle 
Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist

REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 
Colin Anderson   
Procurement Manager

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE
Richard M. Disbrow, C.P.M.
Director - Materials Management

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Kimberly Tomaszewski  
Senior Buyer, Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Don Penskar 
Director Logistical Services

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing