36 MAC Pt. 2, R. 208.2
015-020 Procurement Limits Policies: IHLs
Cite as 36 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, R. 208.2
015-020 Procurement Limits Policies: IHLs
Procedures for the Acquisition of Information Technology Equipment, Software, and
Services by Procurement Type and Total Lifecycle Cost for
Institutions of Higher Learning
By law, all acquisitions of information technology products or services by IHLs must be approved
by ITS. ITS has delegated this responsibility to the Chief Information Officers (CIOs) of the State's
Institutions of Higher Learning for certain types of purchases and lifecycle cost limits. Note that
these thresholds are based upon total lifecycle costs and that there are situations in which actual
monies paid is not the sole determinant of the requirement for a competitive procurement
process.
For purchases in which (1) the value of the goods and services exceeds bid limit, (2) there is a
competitive market, and (3) there is potential for vendor profit from the project, contracts must be
awarded based on an open and competitive process that allows the state to compare offerings to
obtain the best product, service, and value, regardless of monies paid directly to the vendor by the
state entity. The competitive process ensures the state’s requirements are well-defined, project
contracts are negotiated to protect the state’s interest, and the vendor selected is the one with the
most advantageous combination of cost and services.
For the certification of sole source procurements delegated to the CIOs at public universities,
the public university must follow ITS’ Sole Source Procedure, including advertisement of the
intent to award as sole source, as outlined in Chapter 7, 013-030.
The only statutory exception to the requirement for ITS approval is for acquisitions of computer
equipment and services made by IHLs wholly with federal funds. These acquisitions do NOT fall
within ITS' purview. In addition, Mississippi Code Section 25-53-5 (b) directs ITS, in establishing
procedures and carrying out its statutory charges in relation to IHLs, to take into consideration the
special needs of these institutions in relation to the fields of teaching and scientific research. In
accordance with this directive, ITS has delegated procurement oversight for IT purchases to IHLs
at a higher level of delegation for state agencies. These delegation thresholds and associated
oversight requirements are outlined in the table that follows.
The table below defines the procedures and the required approvals for each category and project
lifecycle cost range. For current Director Approval thresholds, see Section 018-030. Note that all
Procurement Requests submitted to ITS must be signed by the Institution's CIO or that person's
designee.
Procurement
Type/Lifecycle
Cost
$.01 - $5,000.00
$5,000.01 - up to
but not over the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c)
In excess of the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) -
$250,000.00
>$250,000.01 but
below Director
Approval
Threshold
Above Director
Approval
Threshold
Regular
Competitive
Procurement
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• May purchase
without
advertising or
otherwise
requesting
competitive bids
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• May purchase
without
advertisement
for bids,
provided at least
two competitive
written bids have
been obtained
• You must select
the lowest quote
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• Advertisement
& receipt of
competitive bids
required by law
• Requires ITS
approval: CP-1
• Advertisement &
receipt of
competitive bids
required by law
•
• Requires ITS
Board approval
and CP-1
• Advertisement
& receipt of
competitive
bids required by
law
• Requires
Business Case
• Requires IT
Security Risk
Assessment
Cooperative
Purchasing
Agreement
No delegation.
Regardless of
lifecycle cost, ITS
statute and policy
require ITS review
and approval of all
cooperative
purchases of
technology.
No delegation.
Regardless of
lifecycle cost, ITS
statute and policy
require ITS
review and
approval of all
cooperative
purchases of
technology.
No delegation.
Regardless of
lifecycle cost, ITS
statute and policy
require ITS
review and
approval of all
cooperative
purchases of
technology.
No delegation.
Regardless of
lifecycle cost, ITS
statute and policy
require ITS review
and approval of all
cooperative
purchases of
technology.
No delegation.
Regardless of
lifecycle cost,
ITS statute and
policy require
ITS review and
approval of all
cooperative
purchases of
technology.
Telecommunica-
tions Systems and
Services
(See Acquisition of
Telecommunica-
tions Services by
IHLs for more
information)
No delegation.
ITS has conducted
these procurements
on behalf of the
state and has
contracts in place
that can be used by
IHLs for
telecommunica-
tions systems and
services (voice and
data). See ITS
Telecommunica-
tions Contracts for
IHLs for details.
To acquire these
services other than
via an ITS
contract, submit an
exemption request
to ITS prior to
acquiring the
service.
No delegation.
ITS has conducted
these
procurements on
behalf of the state
and has contracts
in place that can
be used by IHLs
for
telecommunica-
tions systems and
services (voice
and data). See
ITS
Telecommunica-
tions Contracts for
IHLs for details.
To acquire these
services other than
via an ITS
contract, submit
an exemption
request to ITS
prior to acquiring
the service.
No delegation.
ITS has conducted
these
procurements on
behalf of the state
and has contracts
in place that can
be used by
IHLs for
telecommunica-
tions systems and
services (voice
and data). See
ITS
Telecommunica-
tions Contracts for
IHLs for details.
To acquire these
services other than
via an ITS
contract, submit
an exemption
request to ITS
prior to
advertising for the
service.
No delegation.
ITS has conducted
these
procurements on
behalf of the state
and has contracts
in place that can
be used by IHLs
for
telecommunica-
tions systems and
services (voice
and data). See
ITS
Telecommunica-
tions Contracts for
IHLs for details.
No delegation.
ITS has
conducted these
procurements
on behalf of the
state and has
contracts in place
that can be used
by IHLs for
telecommunica-
tions systems and
services (voice
and data). See
ITS
Telecommunica-
tions Contracts
for IHLs for
details.
Note: ITS
contracts have
already received
Board approval.
IHL
acquisitions of
services from
these contracts
do not require
additional
Board action.
Exemptions to
acquire these
services other
than via ITS
contracts
require Board
approval.
Submit an
exemption
request to ITS 6-
8 weeks prior to
advertising for
the service.
• Requires
Business
Case
Procurement
Type/Lifecycle
Cost
$.01 - $5,000.00
$5,000.01 - up to
but not over the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c)
In excess of the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) -
$250,000.00
>$250,000.01 but
below Director
Approval
Threshold
Above Director
Approval
Threshold
• Requires IT
Security Risk
Assessment
Sole Source
Procurement
• Delegated to
Public
University's CIO
• May purchase
without
advertising or
otherwise
requesting
competitive bids
Sole Source
Certification
Delegated to
Public
University's CIO
• Must follow
ITS Sole
Source
Procedure as
outlined in
Chapter 7,
013-030 of
this Handbook
Sole Source
Certification
Delegated to
Public
University's CIO
• Must follow
ITS Sole
Source
Procedure as
outlined in
Chapter 7,
013-030 of
this Handbook
• Requires ITS
approval: CP-1
• Submit Sole
Source
Certification
Request with
vendor and
institution
documentation to
ITS 3-5 weeks
before purchase
(Note: Public
University's CIO
or Designee must
sign the sole
source request)
• Requires ITS
Board approval
and CP-1
• Submit Sole
Source
Certification
Request with
vendor and
Public
University's
documentation
to ITS 2-4
months before
purchase
• Requires
Business Case
(Note: Public
University's CIO
or Designee must
sign the sole
source request)
Procurement
Type/Lifecycle
Cost
$.01 - $5,000.00
$5,000.01 - up to
but not over the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c)
In excess of the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) -
$250,000.00
>$250,000.01 but
below Director
Approval
Threshold
Above Director
Approval
Threshold
Exemption from
ITS
Not applicable:
Already Delegated
to Institution's CIO
Not applicable:
Already
Delegated to
Institution's CIO
Not applicable:
Already
Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• Requires ITS
approval: CP-1
• Advertisement &
receipt of
competitive bids
required by law
(conducted by
the Institution
after the
exemption is
approved)
• Submit
Exemption
Request to ITS
2-4 weeks prior
to advertising the
procurement
(Note: ITS
cannot exempt a
sole source
procurement >
$250,000)
• Requires ITS
Board approval
and CP-1
• Requires
Business Case
• Requires
Security Risk
Assessment
• Advertisement
& receipt of
competitive
bids required by
law (conducted
by the
Institution after
the exemption
is approved)
• Submit
Exemption
Request to ITS
4 - 6 weeks
prior to
advertising the
procurement
Express Products
Lists (EPLs)
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• Access EPL on
ITS website
• Follow
instructions on
specific EPL
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• Access EPL on
ITS website
• Follow
instructions on
specific EPL
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
up to EPL limit
• Access EPL on
ITS website
• Follow
instructions on
specific EPL
• Delegated to
Institution’s CIO
up to EPL limit
• Access EPL on
ITS website
• Follow
instructions on
specific EPL
• See EPL
Planned
Purchase
Procurement
Type/Lifecycle
Cost
$.01 - $5,000.00
$5,000.01 - up to
but not over the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c)
In excess of the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) -
$250,000.00
>$250,000.01 but
below Director
Approval
Threshold
Above Director
Approval
Threshold
EPL Planned
Purchase
Not applicable
Not applicable
Purchase above
EPL limit:
• Requires ITS
approval: Letter
from ITS
Executive
Director
• Requires
submitting IT
Plan to ITS for
review;
equipment
/software needed
must appear on a
current EPL
• ITS planners and
procurement
analysts assess
the plan and the
procurement
request
• See EPL
Planned
Purchase for
further details.
• Requires ITS
approval: Letter
from ITS
Executive
Director
• Requires
submitting IT
Plan to ITS for
review;
equipment/softw
are needed must
appear on a
current EPL
• ITS planners and
procurement
analysts assess
the plan and the
procurement
request
• See EPL Planned
Purchase for
further details.
• Requires ITS
Board approval
• Requires
Business Case
• Requires IT
Security Risk
Assessment
• Requires
approval letter
from ITS
Executive
Director
• Requires
submitting IT
Plan to ITS for
review;
equipment
/software
needed must
appear on a
current EPL
• ITS planners
and
procurement
analysts assess
the plan and the
procurement
request
• See EPL
Planned
Purchase for
further details.
Procurement
Type/Lifecycle
Cost
$.01 - $5,000.00
$5,000.01 - up to
but not over the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c)
In excess of the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) -
$250,000.00
>$250,000.01 but
below Director
Approval
Threshold
Above Director
Approval
Threshold
Emergency
Procurement
(where delay is
detrimental to the
interests of the
State)
Not applicable
• Requires ITS
approval: CP-1
• Submit
Emergency
Purchase
Request Form
with
documentation
to ITS before
purchase
(Note: IHL
President or
Designee, if
approved by ITS,
must sign the
Emergency
Purchase Request
Form)
If request
approved, submit
post-purchase
documentation
following the
purchase
• Requires ITS
approval: CP-1
• Submit
Emergency
Purchase
Request Form
with
documentation
to ITS before
purchase
(Note: IHL
President or
Designee, if
approved by ITS,
must sign the
Emergency
Purchase Request
Form)
If request
approved, submit
post-purchase
documentation
following the
purchase
• Requires ITS
approval: CP-1
• Submit
Emergency
Purchase
Request Form
with
documentation to
ITS before
purchase
(Note: IHL
President or
Designee, if
approved by ITS,
must sign the
Emergency
Purchase Request
Form)
If request
approved, submit
post-purchase
documentation
following the
purchase
• Requires ITS
Board approval
and CP-1
• Submit
Emergency
Purchase
Request Form
with
documentation
to ITS before
purchase
• (Note: IHL
President or
Designee, if
approved by
ITS, must sign
the Emergency
Purchase
Request Form)
• Requires
Business Case
• Requires IT
Security Risk
Assessment
• If request
approved,
submit post-
purchase
documentation
following the
purchase
Procurement
Type/Lifecycle
Cost
$.01 - $5,000.00
$5,000.01 - up to
but not over the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c)
In excess of the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) -
$250,000.00
>$250,000.01 but
below Director
Approval
Threshold
Above Director
Approval
Threshold
Emergency
Procurement
(where delay
threatens health or
safety of any
person or
preservation or
protection of
property)
Not applicable
• Submit to ITS
the Emergency
Purchase Form
signed by the
IHL President or
Designee, if
approved by
ITS, along with
the post-
purchase
documentation
as soon as
practicable after
the emergency
purchase
• Submit to ITS
the Emergency
Purchase Form
signed by the
IHL President or
Designee, if
approved by
ITS, along with
the post-
purchase
documentation
as soon as
practicable after
the emergency
purchase
• Submit to ITS
the Emergency
Purchase Form
signed by the
IHL President or
Designee, if
approved by ITS,
along with the
post-purchase
documentation
as soon as
practicable after
the emergency
purchase
• ITS issues a CP-
1 so the vendor
payment can be
processed
• Submit to ITS
the Emergency
Purchase Form,
signed by the
IHL President
or Designee, if
approved by
ITS, along with
the post-
purchase
documentation
as soon as
practicable
after the
emergency
purchase
• ITS issues a
CP-1 so the
vendor payment
can be
processed
• ITS Board
informed of
emergency
procurement
and surrounding
circumstances
Procurement
Type/Lifecycle
Cost
$.01 - $5,000.00
$5,000.01 - up to
but not over the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c)
In excess of the
dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) -
$250,000.00
>$250,000.01 but
below Director
Approval
Threshold
Above Director
Approval
Threshold
E-Government
Procurement
NOTE: Due to the
different vendor
business models
for E-Government
services and
products, the
procurement
approach is not
governed by the
total expenditure
but by the true
market value, as
determined by the
complexity and
size of the project.
See Section 001-
020 of this
handbook for
additional
information on
Electronic
Government
procurements.
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• Advertisement &
receipt of
competitive bids
required if true
market value of
services exceeds
the dollar amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c) regardless
of funds
expended
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• Advertisement
& receipt of
competitive bids
required if true
market value of
services exceeds
the dollar
amount
established in
Section 31-7-
13(c),
regardless of
funds expended
• Delegated to
Institution's CIO
• Advertisement
& receipt of
competitive bids
required
• Requires ITS
approval: CP-1
• Advertisement &
receipt of
competitive bids
required by law
• Submit
Procurement
Request to ITS
2-5 months
before purchase
• Requires ITS
Board approval
and CP-1
• Advertisement
& receipt of
competitive
bids required by
law
• Submit
Procurement
Request to ITS
3-8 months
before purchase
• Requires
Business Case
• Requires IT
Security Risk
Assessment