Strategic Vendor Relations
Rice University Division of Information Technology
Office of Procurement and Vendor Relations
November 4, 2004
Mission
The mission of the Strategic Vendor Relations (SVR) program is to enhance Rice University's information technology environment through the use of professional technology-acquisition practices. SVR focuses on strategic technologies, products, services and vendors, which are those deemed critical to carrying out Rice University's mission of instruction, research, and public service.
Authority and Approach
SVR operates under the authority of the Vice Provost for Information Technology. SVR provides direct support to campus managerial staff who are responsible for strategic technology implementations.
Direct Services
SVR provides the following services to campus departments:
- Collaborates in the development of solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, RFIs) for the acquisition of information technology systems.
- Collaborates in the evaluation of vendor bids arising from solicitations.
- Reviews and negotiates contracts for the acquisition of information technologies.
- Collaborates with campus departments in resolving serious difficulties they may experience with key vendors.
- Participates in task forces appointed to study and/or select technology solutions.
- Organizes and facilitates vendor demonstrations and sandboxes.
- Educates the user community through dissemination of information via documents, web, community forums, etc.
SVR also acts on behalf of campus departments:
- Negotiates volume agreements, site licenses, and other technology agreements for the campus that take advantage of economies of scale.
Indirect Services
SVR also carries out the following activities in support of its mission:
- Develops and promotes policies, standards, practices, procedures, templates, and other foundations of an effective technology acquisition process.
- Maintains a broad knowledge of technology trends, industry practices, and technology-related law.
- Maintains a broad awareness of Rice University technology infrastructure, information technology initiatives, and the related policy environment.
- Maintains liaisons with other campus departments involved in the acquisition process, especially Procurement and Business Contracts.
- Maintains ongoing agreements or contracts with major technology vendors.
Contact Information
To ask questions about major technology acquisitions, contact Charlita Marrs, (713) 348-4979, or charlita@rice.edu.
Information on software available under University agreements is provided by Software Distribution, a unit of IT Procurement. Contact the Software Distribution staff at (713) 348-4208 or software@rice.edu.