Update: State’s Facilities Management Initiative

Earlier today, the State of Tennessee’s Central Procurement Office released documents identifying the vendor/s selected through a request-for-proposals process to identify facilities management options with potential for cost savings.

Our understanding is that the documents being made available include general cost/savings information for entities the bidder visited, which include two UT campuses. We also understand that any institutions or entities that choose to participate would have to act specifically to do so. Higher education institutions would enter into "participating addendum agreements" if the decision is made by their leadership to negotiate contract service agreements in whole or part.

I know we all continue to share a great interest in this most recent development in the process. Please be aware that nothing about the University of Tennessee’s long-stated position has changed: Each campus retains the option to evaluate the contract-based services proposal and to make the campus’ own determination whether to pursue use of such services.

Once we have received this information from the state, I will ask the leadership of each campus to review the proposals and determine what is in the best interest of their campus. Each campus will be responsible for explaining its decision to UT System administration and the Board of Trustees. Campus budget proposals for the fiscal year that begins July 1 will be presented for the Board’s consideration at its annual meeting in June.

The University has upheld its commitment to remain engaged throughout the duration of this process. Remember that no one will be forced to implement an approach that is not in the overall best interests of our University, its personnel or its students.

I maintain my support of our facilities services employees, and I appreciate all that you—our faculty and staff who serve this University day in and day out—do to contribute to fulfilling our important mission.

All the best,
Joe