The Purchasing Department is committed to supporting the goals and values of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District by:

• Providing the highest level of professional service to all school sites and departments.
• Procuring goods and services in a cost-effective and fiscally responsible manner.
• Ensuring compliance with all purchasing laws, guidelines, and District policies.
• Promoting fair competition through transparent bidding and equitable negotiations.
• Maintaining professional and ethical relationships with all vendors
• Educating and training District staff on procurement practices and regulations.
• Remaining open to new ideas, technologies, and sustainable procurement strategies.
• Listening to and collaborating with school sites and departments to continuously improve service.

Goals

The goal of the Purchasing Department is to support the District’s educational mission by ensuring the timely and efficient supply of goods and services necessary for all schools and departments. We aim to achieve this through:

• A commitment to excellence, integrity, and high ethical standards.
• Processes and training that promote compliance with all relevant policies and regulations.
• Efficient, value-driven services that maximize District resources.
• Effective communication and collaboration across all departments and school sites.
• Ongoing research and collaboration with other school districts and municipalities.
• Implementation of sustainable purchasing strategies aligned with District policies.

Responsibilities

The Purchasing Department is responsible for:

• Conducting all purchasing transactions in accordance with Board of Education policies and all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Administering competitive bidding through advertised bids, written quotations, and oral price quotations as required by law and board policy.
• Submitting all purchase orders for Board of Education ratification and/or approval.
• Managing all procurement activities to secure the best combination of quality, service, and price.
• Maintaining sound business practices, accurate records, and efficient office systems.
• Serving as an information resource for District staff regarding sources of supplies, services, and equipment.
• Developing purchasing schedules to leverage economies of scale and seasonal pricing advantages.
• Ensuring fair and impartial treatment of all vendors.
• Managing the District’s Fixed Asset Inventory and overseeing the disposition of obsolete or surplus equipment.
• Overseeing the District Mail Room, which coordinates with the U.S. Postal Service for mail pickup and sorts incoming and outgoing correspondence into inter-district mail bags for delivery by the Food Services Department.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Purchasing Department is to deliver the highest quality products and services at the best value, efficiently, ethically, and in full support of the District’s educational goals. Through excellence in service and collaboration with all school sites and departments, we strive to create an environment that enables student achievement and operational success.