Polytechnic council members have approved new guidelines for how staff consider the procurement and buying of goods and services for the tertiary institute.
Otago Chamber of Commerce president John Christie reminded fellow council members at a recent meeting how some national providers of tertiary services and products might try to include goods "as a by-product" in contracts.
Such by-product goods, whether they be food, beverage, or stationery items, could be provided by local suppliers and businesses, he said.
There were also many existing local service providers who could potentially be shut out if consideration was not made as part of any tenders from large national companies, he said.
"Often some national providers include by-product goods, be they coffee, food or stationery, as part of a wider tender for procurement. It can have a detrimental effect on local suppliers and industry," Mr Christie told polytechnic council members.
He cautioned the council to be mindful of its local backers and for the message to filter through to staff and academic decision-makers considering new service and goods contracts.
Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker said that, when possible, local suppliers and businesses were considered as part of any tender process in which the tertiary institute was involved.
The new procurement policy was about ensuring contracts for goods and services were being secured in an open and transparent manner, which provides for competition.
Goods and services tenders needed to fit within the polytechnic's strategic and financial priorities and provide the best value for money over the "whole life" of the item bought.
