Conflicts of Interest

Interactions with Vendors and Other Commercial Entities

Site Visits to View Vendor Products and/or Services

Site visits to observe vendor products and/or services are sometimes an appropriate part of a purchasing decision. When such visits are necessary, they must be approved by the department head. Vendor offers to pay for site visits cannot be accepted because these offers may be designed to influence a purchasing decision or the institution's relationship with other vendors; the cost of the trip should be paid with departmental funds.