This status is reserved for exceptional circumstances when continuing a contractual relationship with a particular vendor is more beneficial to the State than could be provided by any other vendor in the foreseeable future. The partnership allows the State flexibility to adjust to changes through mutual efforts. The strategic partnership should exist as long as it is advantageous to the State to continue it. Requires consistency in vendor personnel over time to provide evolving understanding of the State's culture, structure and operations. Requires innovation and changes in scope, process and technology that are developed by and are mutually beneficial to both partners.
Competition is non-existent or extremely limited.
Much of the success of the program since its initial implementation in 1997 is attributable to the continual evaluation of policies and procedures and a willingness on the part of agencies and the statewide coordinators in the Bureau of Procurement and the State Controller's Office to enable new and creative uses for the card. In July 1999, policies and procedures were established to allow employees to use the purchasing card for lodging and travel reservations, including contract car rental. Use of Boise Cascade's electronic ordering system is facilitated using the card as the preferred method of payment. Effective July 2000, the Department of Natural Resources initiated a pilot program with Dell for direct purchase of computers with the purchasing card. In partnership with its supplier, Elan, the State is watching the movement of the credit card industry to a potential one-card solution for purchases, travel and fleet.