ETHICSRonald L. King, CPPB, CPPO, VCO

Procurement Management Account ExecutiveDepartment of General Services

Division of Purchases and SupplyPhone: 804-786-0394

e-mail: rking@dgs.state.va.us

FORUM – December 8, 2003

Three may keep a secret

if two of them are dead.

Benjamin Franklin

DEFINITIONS

• ETHICS: The rules or standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession

• INTEGRITY: Rigid adherence to a code or standard of values

CODE OF VIRGINIA

• VPPA § 2.2-4367 et seq• State and Local Gov’t

Conflict of Interest Act § 2.2-3100 et seq

• Virginia Governmental Frauds Act § 18.2-498.1 et seq

HOW TO PROMOTE CONFIDENCEIN ETHICAL STANDARDS

• Publish purchasing rules and procedures

• Publish code of ethics/standards of conduct

• Hold public bid openings

• Make Records available for public inspection

• Preclude personal interest/influence in contract

• Be cognizant of back-door selling

• Remain independent, free of obligation and above suspicion

PATIENCE

CONSISTENT

DILIGENT

PRINCIPLED

KNOWLEDGEABLE

COURAGEOUS

HONORABLE

INTEGRITY

ETHICS IN THE PROCUREMENT FROG POND

• IS IT LEGAL?

• DOES IT COMPLY WITH YOUR VALUES?

• HOW WILL YOU FEEL IN THE LONG RUN?

PERSONAL CONDUCT

• Higher standard for purchasing professional

• Public expectation--Trustworthy

• Vendor expectation--Fairness

• All be cognizant of laws

SOLVING ETHICALDILEMMAS

ANALYZE THE SITUATION

• What is the subject of this case?• What are the relevant facts?• Who has an interest in the

outcome?

Isolate the Ethical Issues

• Should someone have done or not done something?

• Does it matter that…..? (Reasons and Excuses)

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

• What are your options at this time?

• Which options do you recommend?

ASSESSEMENT OF

ALTERNATIVES

SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

PATIENCE

CONSISTENT

DILIGENT

PRINCIPLED

KNOWLEDGEABLE

COURAGEOUS

HONORABLE

INTEGRITY