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Exciting to see more funds going to research, but cringe knowing the efficiency in how it is spent. Due to procurement not having a research background, they o
by kayhi 9y ago
Exciting to see more funds going to research, but cringe knowing the efficiency in how it is spent.
Due to procurement not having a research background, they often due poorly negotiating prices for basic scientific chemicals and supplies. The result makes it very difficult for researchers to buy from the open market such as Amazon, etc.
Here are 12 tweezers for nearly $700 list price: https://us.vwr.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?catalog_number=89259-984 https://us.vwr.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?catalog_number=...
Procurement feels good getting 45% off of list price across all products, but they do not compare the actual price.
- goialoq 9y agoI don't have a research background, and I know not to feel good paying $60 for a pair of tweezers. What prevents procurement from buying from Amazon? https://www.amazon.com/Tweezees-Precision-Stainless-Steel-Tweezers/dp/B00LYLJJO2 https://www.amazon.com/Tweezees-Precision-Stainless-Steel-Tw...
- Q6T46nT668w6i3m 9y agoI’m curious about this too. I can’t imagine a procurement office not permitting Amazon! It’s a crazy world.
- kayhi 9y agoThe problem is creating many hurdles to purchase. For example, a contract gives the scientific distributor the right to match a price [1]. Scientists need to make this request through their procurement office or to a sales rep. which takes a couple of days and additional paperwork to complete. These extra steps create enough friction that researchers will often by through contracted providers despite them being more expensive. [1] examples: https://procurement.fsu.edu/vendors/VWR https://procurement.fsu.edu/vendors/VWR https://www.dfa.cornell.edu/procurement/news/improved-preferred-supplier-agreements-laboratory-supplies-and-equipment https://www.dfa.cornell.edu/procurement/news/improved-prefer...