Okaloosa County BOCC — February 11, 2013 — Okaloosa County Code of Ethics Policy 011 — reading text

CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT A County Purchasing Agent has, perhaps, more coniact with manufacturers and dealers than any other County officer; he has the opportunity and duty to cultivate goodwill between Okaloosa County and its’ suppliers. in any consideration of public relations, there must be understanding and agreement with reference to ethical concepts of public purchasing and, for our purposes; these are well expressed in Chapter 112, Part Il, Florida Statutes, +945, thereby obligating every purchasing Official to an impeccable standard of ethics and conduct. A. “Procurement employee" means any employee of an officer, department, board, commission, or council of the executive branch or judicial branch of state government who participates through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, preparation of any part of a purchase request, influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering of advice, investigation, or auditing or in any other advisory capacity in the procurement of contractual services or commodities as defined in $.287.01 2, if the cost of such services or commodities exceeds $1,000 in any year. A reporting individual or procurement employee is prohibited from soliciting any gift from a political committee or committee of continuous existence, as defined in s.106.011, or from a lobbyist who lobbies the reporting individual's or procurement employee's agency, or the partner, firm, employer, or principal of such lobbyist, where such gift is for the personal benefit of the reporting individual or procurement employee, another reporting individual or procurement employee, or any member of the immediate family of a reporting individual or procurement employee. General Standards of Ethical Conduct 1. Any attempt to realize personal gain through public employment by conduct inconsistent with the proper discharge of the employee's duties is a breach of a public trust. In addition, it shall be unethical for any employee to fail to meet any other applicable standards set forth in this section or to participate directly or indirectly in a procurement when the employee knows that:- a. The employee or any member of the employee's immediate family has a financial interest pertaining to the procurement; b. Any other person, business, or organization with whom the employee or any member of an employee's immediate family is negotiating or has an arrangement concerning prospective employment is involved in the procurement. c. Any employee or any member of an employee's immediate family who holds a financial interest in a disclosed blind trust shall not be deemed to have a conflict of interest with regard to matters pertaining to that financial interest. Gratuities & Kickbacks — It shall be unethical for any person to offer, give or agree to give any employee or former employee, or for any employee or former employee to solicit, demand, accept or agree to accept from another person, a gratuity or an offer of employment in connection with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, preparation or any part of a program requirement or a purchase request, influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering of advice, Revised — 11/09/98, 03/21/00, 09/18/01, 03/19/02, 09/07/04, 05/15/07, 09/04/07, 09/03/08, 09/12/2011 5 investigation, auditing, or in any other advisory capacity in any proceeding or application, request for ruling, determination, claim or controversy, or other particular matter, pertaining to any program requirement or a contract or subcontract, or to any solicitation or proposal therefore. E. National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) Code of Ethics — The Okaloosa County Purchasing Department supports the attached NIGP Code of Ethics (attached) and adheres io their philosophy of protecting the public trust. Revised — 11/09/98, 03/21/00, 09/18/01, 03/19/02, 09/07/04, 05/15/07, 09/04/07, 09/03/08, 09/12/2011 6 NIGP CODE OF ETHICS The Institute believes, and it is a condition of membership, that the following ethical principles should govem the conduct of every person employed by a public sector procurement or materials management organization. Seeks or accepts a position as head (or employee) only when fully in accord with the professional principles applicable thereto and when confident or possessing the qualifications to serve under those principles to the advantage of the employing organization. Believes in the dignity and worth of the service rendered by the organization, and the societal responsibilities assumed as a trusted public servant. is governed by the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order to merit the respect and inspire the confidence of the organization and the public being served. Believes that personal aggrandizement or personal profit obtained through misuse of public or personal relationships is dishonest and not tolerable. identifies and eliminates participation of any individual in operational situations where a conflict of interest may be involved. Believes that members of the Institute and its staff should at no time, or under any circumstances, accept directly or indirectly, gifts, gratuities, or other things of value from suppliers, which might influence or appear to influence purchasing decisions. Keeps the governmental organization informed, through appropriate channels, on problems and progress of applicable operations by emphasizing the importance of the facts. Resists encroachment on control of personnel in order to preserve integrity as a professional manager. Handles all personne! matters on a merit basis, and in compliance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of politics, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, age, pregnancy and other protected characteristics. Seeks or dispenses no personal favors. Handles each administrative problem objectively and empathetically, without discrimination. Subscribes to and supports the professional aims and objectives of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. Revised — 11/09/98, 03/21/00, 09/18/01, 03/19/02, 09/07/04, 05/15/07, 09/04/07, 09/03/08, 09/12/2011 7 fl. tH. IV. GUIDELINES TO THE NIGP CODE OF ETHICS RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR EMPLOYER Follow the lawful instructions or laws of the employer. Understand the authority granted by the employer. Avoid activities, which would compromise or give the perception of compromising the best interest of the employer. Reduce the potential for any charges of preferential treatment by actively promoting the concept of competition. Obtain the maximum benefit for funds spent as agents of the employer. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Avoid any private or professional activity that would create a conflict between your personal interest and the interests of your employer. Avoid engaging in personal business with any company that is a supplier to your employer. Avoid lending money to or borrowing money from any supplier. PERCEPTION Avoid the appearance of unethical or compromising practices in relationships, actions and communications. Avoid business relationships with personal friends. Request a reassignment if the situation arises. Avoid noticeable displays of affection, which may give an impression of impropriety. Avoid holding business meetings with suppliers outside the office. When such meetings do occur, the meeting location should be carefully chosen so as not to be perceived as inappropriate by other persons in the business community or your peers. GRATUITIES Never solicit or accept money, loans, credits or prejudicial discounts, gifts, entertainment, favors or services from your present or potential suppliers which might influence or appear to influence purchasing decisions. Never solicit gratuities in any form for yourself or your employer. ttems of nominal value offered by suppliers for public relations purposes are acceptable when the value of such items has been established by your employer and would not be perceived by the offeror, receiver or others as posing an ethical breach. Revised — 11/09/98, 03/21/00, 09/18/01, 03/19/02, 09/07/04, 05/15/07, 09/04/07, 09/03/08, 09/12/2011 8 Vi. Vil. VII. Gifts offered exceeding nominal value should be returned with an explanation or if perishable either returned or donated to a charity in the name of the supplier. in the case of any gift, care should be taken to evaluate the intent and perception of acceptance to ensure that it is legal, that it will not influence your buying decisions, and that it will not be perceived by your peers and others as unethical. BUSINESS MEALS There are times when during the course of business it may be appropriate to conduct business during meals. In such instances, the meal should be for a specific business purpose. Avoid frequent meals with the same supplier. The purchasing professional should be able to pay for meals as frequently as the supplier. Budgeted funds should be available for such purposes. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION Keep bidders’ proprietary information confidential. Develop a formal policy on the handling of confidential information. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SUPPLIER Maintain and practice, to the highest degree possible, business ethics, professional courtesy, and competence in all transactions. Association with suppliers at lunches, dinners or business organization meetings is an acceptable professional practice enabling the buyer to establish better business relations provided that the buyer keeps free or obligation. Accordingly, it is strongly recommended that if a seller pays for an activity that the buyer reciprocate. Purchase without prejudice, striving to obtain the maximum value for each dollar of expenditure. Preclude from showing favoritism or be influenced by suppliers through the acceptance of gifts, gratuities, loans or favors. Gifts of a nominal value that display the name of a firm which is intended for advertisement may or may not be accepted in accordance with the recipient’s own conscience or jurisdictional rules. Adhere to and protect the supplier's business and legal rights to confidentiality for trade secrets, and other proprietary information. Refrain from publicly endorsing products. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EMPLOYER Remain free of any and all interests and activities, which are or could be detrimental or in conflict with the best interests of the employer. Refrain from engaging in activities where the buyer has a significant personal or indirect financial interest. Revised — 11/09/98, 03/21/00, 09/18/01, 03/19/02, 09/07/04, 05/15/07, 09/04/07, 09/03/08, 09/12/2011 9 IX. Xl. Exercise discretionary authority on behalf of the employer. Avoid acquiring interest or incurring obligations that could conflict with the interests of the employer. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS A buyer shall not use his position to exert leverage on individuals or firms for the purpose of creating a benefit for agencies or organizations that he may represent. All involvement and transactions shall be handled in a professional manner with the interest of the buyer’s employer taking precedent. RELATIONSHIP WITH PROFESSIONAL PURCHASING ORGANIZATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS It is the obligation and the responsibility of the buyer, through affiliation with professional organization, to represent that organization in a professional and ethical manner. A buyer shall not use his position to persuade an individual or firm to provide a benefit to an organization. POLICY it is the policy of NIGP that any member of the Institute who personally, or on behalf of his local chapter, is involved in the process of acquiring advertisers and/or exhibitors on behalf of the institute, shall act only in the capacity of providing referrals of potential or interested parties to the Institute. As a result of such