May 12, 2005
For Immediate Release
To: News Directors and News Editors
From: Veronika Avery, Assistant Director of Media Relations, 342-5444, vavery@ulm.edu

ULM Officials Tell Sellers How to Work With the University

The University of Louisiana at Monroe and Delta Community College hosted a free luncheon detailing how to do business with them and other governmental agencies Thursday, May 12, in the university conference center on the 7th floor of the ULM Library.

More than fifty people attended the session, which was sponsored by the Consortium for Education, Research and Technology (CERT) and the North Louisiana Partnership for Innovation (NLPI).

Dr. Nick Bruno, Vice President for Business Affairs at ULM, and Cecil Willis, Director of Purchasing at ULM addressed the group.

Bruno told the audience one of the best things they can do to have a strong working relationship with the university is have open communication. He said, "It's important that you develop the ability to talk with the people you are working with, be straightforward and honest and maintain constant feedback throughout the process."

Another point Bruno made was about bidding on work. He told the group before they bid on any work, they need to be sure to read the specifications thoroughly and be prepared to follow through with the work if they are awarded the bid.

Willis talked about the large role state laws play in the bidding, awarding and contractual process when working with ULM and Delta.

Willis said any project exceeding $25,000 will be advertised in the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, the Monroe News-Star and on the OSP LAPAC website.

He also added that even though laws dictate much of what is purchased by ULM, the university always advocates buying from local vendors and contractors as much as possible.

For more information on state purchasing laws, you can visit http:/www.doa.louisiana.gov/osp or call or email Cecil Willis at 318-342-5205 or willis@ulm.edu.

For this and other ULM news online visit www.ulm.edu. While there, check out ULM's on-line calendar for all of ULM's upcoming events.