Relations with Vendors

BP 3315.00

RELATIONS WITH VENDORS

No district employee or Board member shall accept personal gifts, commissions or expense-paid trips from individuals or companies selling equipment, materials or services required in the operation of district programs.  Gifts include any gift purchased specifically for an employee which is not generally offered to other buyers. 

This policy does not prohibit employees from accepting promotional or advertising items such as calendars, desk pads, notebooks and other office gadgets which are offered by business concerns free to all as part of their public relations programs.

District employees who work for or serve as consultants for potential vendors shall not participate in evaluating any equipment, materials or services of that vendor or its competitors.

(cf. 6161.1 - Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Materials)
(cf. 9270 - Conflict of Interest)

This policy does not prohibit the Board from accepting materials and/or services which are of use and benefit to the district. 

Universal Service Program/E-Rate Vendors

Note:  The following language should be adopted by those districts receiving E-rate discounts.  Effective 2011, the FCC amended its E-rate program rules and adopted gift restrictions for schools and districts participating in E-rate.  The receipt of gifts by applicants from service providers and potential providers is a competitive bidding violation.  The gift prohibitions are always applicable, not just during the bidding process.  Relevant school district personnel may not solicit or receive any gift or other thing of value from a service provider participating in or seeking to participate in the E-rate program.  There are limited exceptions, including when the value of the item is worth $20 or less, so long as items do not exceed $50 per year per employee from any one service provider. 


The District takes advantage of federal technology funding through the universal service program known as E-rate.  E-rate participants may not, at any time, solicit or accept gifts or other items of value from an existing or potential E-rate service provider.  Nominal gifts and refreshments may be allowed as authorized by the Superintendent or their designee.

E-rate gift prohibitions apply to the School Board and to employees, consultants or contractors involved in the District’s E-rate Program who: prepare, approve, sign, or submit E-rate applications, technology plans or other E-rate forms; prepare bids, communicate, or work with E-rate service providers, E-rate consultants, or the Universal Service Administrative Company; and those responsible for monitoring compliance with the E-rate program. 

 Charitable donations by service providers in support of the schools are permitted.  These contributions may not be directly or indirectly related to E-rate procurement activities or decisions.  

The Superintendent or their designee shall develop guidelines to implement this policy in compliance with E-rate program rules.

(cf.  3290 - Gifts, Grants and Bequests)

Legal Reference:

            CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
            47 C.F.R. Part 54, subpart f, Universal Service Support for Schools and Libraries

           ALASKA STATUTES
          11.56.100-56.130  Bribery and related offenses 

 

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption date:  10/13/99
Revision date:  8/10/2011

Revision date: 1/24/24

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