New Terminal at NY Airport
A snazzy new International Arrivals Building (Terminal 4) has brought style back to one of the most important international gateways in the U.S., New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. The steel and glass structure has 40-ft. ceilings, Mongolian granite floors, colorful artwork and architecture. Builders say it offers a place people might come to for fun, not just for an airplane flight.

Lights...Camera... ACTION! The Purchasing Division is producing a videotape on Best Value Purchasing to be used by agency purchasers.

Since June of 2001, a class is held at the Purchasing Division Conference Room twice monthly to offer information on this topic. As a requirement for Request for Proposal evaluation members, training must be taken in order to learn more about the purchasing process and criteria evaluation. By making this videotape available, many evaluators can benefit from viewing this informa-tion at their convenience.

"Training is a key element in the purchasing process," said Purchasing Director Dave Tincher. "It is crucial that members of Request for Proposal evaluation teams have a good understanding of the process and their role. This videotape was produced to not only alleviate the training schedule offered in-house, but to share the information more efficiently among individuals who will be participating in this Best Value Purchasing process."

Utilizing the services of Educational Network located at West Virginia State College in Institute, the videotape is approximately one hour and features the same information which is offered ‘live’ at the Purchasing Division by Assistant Director Curt Curtiss.

Such areas of the Best Value Purchasing process which are addressed include:

w Requests for Proposals
w Expressions of Interest
w Design Build Projects
w Life Cycle Costing
w Grounds Rules
w Selection and Role of Evaluation Committee
w Purchasing Division's Role
w Evaluation Process

To learn more about obtaining a copy of this training videotape, please contact Diane Holley at (304) 558-0661 or via electronic mail at dholley@gwmail.state.wv.us.

Scenario: You order products from a vendor for which you have a contract and the delivery is late or does not arrive at all. You contact the vendor numerous times and are dissatisfied with the results. The problem is documented in writing to the vendor with no results. What should you do?

Resolution: Once you have expended all resources and attempts to resolve the problem, complete a Vendor Performance Form (WV-82).

Vendor performance and product quality are crucial in the state purchasing process. When certain factors do not meet expectations, agencies are encouraged to contact the vendor and voice their concerns. Complaints should be resolved expeditiously and courteously, preferably by the state agency.

There are several misconceptions about the use of the Vendor Performance Form. First and foremost, this scenario focuses on a negative experience with the vendor. The Vendor Performance Form also may be used for positive comments about a vendor.

Secondly, after all attempts have failed by the agency to resolve the issues (verbal and written correspondence), the complaint should immediately be referred to the Purchasing Division using the Vendor Performance Form, documenting all steps taken to try to resolve the problem and all written vendor responses.

Thirdly, even when a resolution is reached, the agency should submit the Vendor Performance Form noting all pertinent information. There is a section on this form which asks if the situation is resolved or unresolved.

For more information on vendor performance, please contact Karen Byrd, External Relations Manager, at 558-4317.