Section 54-44.4-01 - Declaration of policy - DefinitionsIt is state policy to provide comprehensive purchasing services based upon sound procurement practices and principles wherein, through full competition with fair and equal opportunity to all qualified persons to sell to the state, each state agency and institution shall obtain its necessary commodities and services at competitive cost, consistent with quality, time, and performance requirements, except as otherwise provided by law. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
1. "Commodities" means all property, including equipment, supplies, materials, printing, insurance, and leases of equipment.2. "Procurement officer" means an individual duly authorized to enter and administer purchasing contracts and make written determinations with respect thereto and also includes an authorized representative acting within the limits of authority.3. "Professional services" means those services requiring special knowledge, education, or skills when the qualifications and experience of the individual rendering the services are of primary importance and the individual is required to exercise professional judgment. Professional services providers include appraisers, attorneys, accountants, psychologists, physicians, dentists, planners, analysts, and consultants. The term includes human services under which a person provides direct health or social welfare services to the citizens on behalf of the state. The term does not include services defined in section 54-44.7-01.4. "Purchasing agency" means a governmental entity in the executive branch of government other than the office of management and budget which is authorized by this chapter, rules adopted under this chapter, written policy of the office of management and budget, or by way of delegation from the office of management and budget to enter purchasing contracts for commodities and services.5. "Services" means the furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a contractor, not involving the delivery of a specific end product other than reports that are merely incidental to the required performance. The term includes professional services.