Code of Ethics and Governing Statutes & Policies

Code of Ethics

State employees are covered by Minnesota Statute 43A.38 Code of Ethics and Minnesota Statute 43A.39 Compliance with Law. These statutes cover such topics as acceptance of gifts, conflicts of interest, and use of confidential information.

Per Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State) Policy 5.14.5, Part 11 Subpart B:

"Minnesota Statute 15.43 states that no employee of the State in direct contact with suppliers or potential suppliers to the State, or who may directly or indirectly influence a purchasing decision or contract by establishing specifications, testing purchased products, evaluating contracted services, or otherwise has official involvement in the purchasing or contracting process may:

1. Have any financial interest or have any personal beneficial interest directly or indirectly in the contracts or purchase orders for goods or services used by, or purchased for resale or furnished to the system office, college or university; or
2. Accept directly or indirectly from a person, firm, or corporation to which a contract or purchase order has been or may be, awarded, a rebate, gift, money, or anything of value other than items of nominal value. No such employee may further accept any promise, obligation or contract for future reward.

Textbooks, software, and other course materials authored by an employee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities may be used as required course material. Instructors may accept free samples of textbooks and related teaching materials.”

Violation of the procedures above may result in reduced spending authority. 

Governing Statutes & Policies

Minnesota Statute 43A.38 Code of Ethics

Minnesota Statute 43A.39 Compliance with Law

Minnesota Statute 471.345, Uniform Municipal Contracting Law

Minnesota Statute 16A.15 Accounting System, Allotment and Encumbrance

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Policy 5.14 Procurements and Contracts

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Policy 5.14.5 Purchasing Procedure

• State of Minnesota Commodity Contracts will still be available for our use but will not be mandatory. It will be recommended to use them only when a dollar is possible.
   
• Procurement from Targeted Group Businesses and Contractors: These businesses fit the definition in state law as being small, targeted because of race, gender or disability, or economically disadvantaged. Procurement practices for purchasing, contracting, and construction projects will include provisions, whenever practical, for the procurement from small targeted group businesses as defined in M.S. 471.345, subd.8. Targeted businesses are certified as such and a list is available from the Department of Administration.
   
• Bids and Quotes:
  • All quotations obtained shall be kept on file in the Office of Business Services until audited. The record to be retained must include the names of vendors providing quotes, amounts of quotations, and each quote signed and dated.
  • Awards to vendors and contractors may not be split in order to avoid the bid process.