5200.5    RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY
(Revised 06/07)

The Department of Finance (Finance) is responsible for review and approval of IT project proposals and their associated funding. Departments must obtain required approval as appropriate before an IT procurement cycle may begin.

The Department of General Services (DGS) has statutory responsibility for procurement of all IT goods and services, including approval of the acquisition methods used and the establishment and interpretation of related procedures. The Procurement Division (PD) was established within the DGS to provide oversight, guidance, and direction to departments in all aspects of IT procurement. Departments are required to participate during the procurement process.

Pursuant to Public Contract Code section 12104(a), the DGS/PD has established the State Contracting Manual (SCM), Volume 3. SCM Volume 3 contains IT acquisition policies, procedures, and methods and is available on the Internet at www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/polproc/default.htm. The DGS/PD Policies and Procedures Office (PPO) is the entity responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of SCM Volume 3.

The DGS also has statutory authority to delegate purchasing authority to those departments demonstrating the capability to make purchases that adhere to State statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures. This program is described in SCM Volume 2 which is also known as the Purchasing Authority Manual (PAM). SCM Volume 2 contains additional requirements for those State departments delegated purchasing authority by the DGS/PD. SCM Volume 2 is available on the Internet at www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/deleg/delegpurch.htm.