The Purchasing Section is responsible for the development and procurement of professional and general service, and commodity contracts. These contracts provide services such as education, medical, substance abuse treatment, electronic monitoring, residential facilities, etc., as well as the purchase of items for resale to offenders.

The department has received special delegations of authority from the Office of Administration, Division of Purchasing and Materials Management for the purpose of purchasing such services and items as substance abuse treatment services, community reentry contracts, and bulk fuel, regardless of the dollar value.

For general revenue funded purchases valued annually at $25,000 or greater, the Purchasing Section serves as the department's liaison with the Office of Administration, Division of Purchasing and Materials Management.

A Vendor Manual has been created to acquaint prospective vendors with how to do business with the Department of Corrections. To be placed on the Department of Corrections database for future bidding opportunities, complete and print the Vendor Information Data Sheet and forward to the address, fax to the number indicated on the form or email to DOC.VendorInfo@doc.mo.gov. The Purchasing Section attempts to send out e-mail notifications on bids that are issued by the Purchasing Section; however, it is ultimately the bidder's responsibility to check the bidding opportunities webpage periodically for bids and amendments.

On December 1, 2009, the Missouri Department of Corrections, Purchasing Section voided its Vendor Information Data database. Vendors are required to complete a new form to be added back on to the database.

The Purchasing Section encourages vendors to check the Office of Administration, Division of Purchasing and Materials Management's website for additional bidding opportunities, to review contract awards, and to register as a State of Missouri Vendor. The website is http://oa.mo.gov/purch/

NOTICE TO VENDORS

As a condition of award of any contract or grant in excess of five thousand dollars by the state or by any political subdivision of the state to a business entity, or for any business entity receiving a state administered or subsidized tax credit, tax abatement, or loan from the state, the business entity shall, by sworn affidavit and provision of documentation, affirm its enrollment and participation in a federal work authorization program with respect to the employees working in connection with the contracted services. Every such business entity shall sign an affidavit affirming that it does not knowingly employ any person who is an unauthorized alien in connection with the contracted services. [285.530 (2) RSMo]

An employer may enroll and participate in a federal work authorization program and shall verify the employment eligibility of every employee in the employer's hire whose employment commences after the employer enrolls in a federal work authorization program. The employer shall retain a copy of the dated verification report received from the federal government. Any business entity that participates in such program shall have an affirmative defense that such business entity has not violated subsection 1 of this section. [285.530 (4) RSMo]