Q&A
Question of the Month

What can be done if a vendor does not meet our expectations?

Agencies are always encouraged to complete a Vendor Performance form (WV-82). This form is used to report all incidents of vendor performance even if a resolution has been reached. When assistance is requested, a Purchasing Division official will notify the vendor directly in writing of the problem.

Introducing E & R Services of Petersburg, West Virginia

E & R Services is an authorized dealer for Datatech (paper shredders and automatic envelope openers); Cruiser Electric Vehicles, Inc. (electric utility and distribution vehicles); Rol-Lift Corporation (pallet trucks, stackers, lift tables and dock equipment); and, Pride Mobility Products Corp. (electric power chairs, personal mobility scooters and lift chairs).

Owner Daniel D. Alt attended the 1999 Vendor Purchasing Conference and described his experience as positive. "I found it very encouraging that the Purchasing Division would go to such efforts, especially for West Virginia vendors. The conference workshops provided a wonderful opportunity to learn about the necessary paperwork and the proper way to complete. I enjoyed meeting the people, both from Purchasing and other vendors. Meeting other vendors is the best way to not only keep tabs on the competition, but to also find new suppliers and customers."

For more information on the products offered by E & R Services, call (304) 257-9675 or e-mail Dan Alt at dalt@access.mountain.net.

The State Purchasing Division joined Governor Cecil H. Underwood and other members of his cabinet and administration in early December on a three-day trip to the northern panhandle of West Virginia to meet with citizens and officials.

According to Governor Underwood, the goal of this visit was to listen to the people of the northern panhandle and provide them with information regarding state government’s work in that area of West Virginia. "We want to gain a more thorough understanding of the issues and opportunities in the state’s four northernmost counties," he said.

Purchasing Director Dave Tincher represented the Purchasing Division during this visit. Each agency scheduled individual meetings with business and government representatives in Brooke, Ohio, Hancock and Marshall counties.

Governor Underwood and his cabinet met at Independence Hall in Wheeling with members of the county commissions of the four counties, officials of municipalities in the area and the region’s legislative delegation.

"I firmly believe that we can best serve the people of West Virginia by working together on the state and local levels. I am determined to make state government more accessible and responsive to the people of the Northern Panhandle," Governor Underwood stated.

The Automation Unit of the Purchasing Division will be offering TEAM General Inquiry training once a month during calendar year 2000. There are three main objectives to be achieved in the TEAM General Inquiry training:

· to learn how to look up vendors and determine their "hold" status;

· to learn how to check the status of requisitions; and,

· to become skillful at tracking purchase orders electronically.

The three-hour classes are provided at no charge to state agencies. The 2000 dates are as follows:

Thurs., January 20 (9 a.m. - noon)
Thurs., February 17 (1 p.m.-4 p.m.)
Wed., March 15 (9 a.m. - noon)
Thurs., April 13 (1 p.m.-4 p.m.)
Thurs., June 15 (9 a.m. - noon)
Tues., July 18 (9 a.m. - noon)
Thurs., August 17 (9 a.m. - noon)
Tues., September 19 (9 a.m. - noon)
Thurs., November 16 (9 a.m. - noon)
Tues., December 12 (1 p.m.-4 p.m.)

All classes will be held in the Purchasing Division Training Room (Room 103), 2019 Washington Street East, Charleston, West Virginia.

Please note that if Kanawha County Schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, TEAM classes will be cancelled entirely for that day.

To register, contact Kelli Doyle at (304) 558-7839 or via e-mail at kdoyle@gwmail.state.wv.us.