Competition with the Private Sector
Effective: Moved to Policy Library from UPM 11.1(1)
Reviewed: May 2016
Contact: Senior Vice President for Operations and Finance
Introduction
The Code of Iowa, Chapter 23A.2, and Iowa Administrative Code 681-9.4(23A) prohibit competition with the private sector, unless the activity is specifically exempted or meets the requirements stated in the Iowa Code and the Iowa Administrative Code.
Policy Statement
Iowa State University shall not sell products/services, permit facility usage, or otherwise engage in activities, which compete with for profit private enterprises, unless the activity will assist in the university's education, research, extension, or service mission, has been reviewed and approved by the Competition with the Private Sector Review Committee, and meets one or more of the following conditions:
- The activity is deemed to be an integral part of the institution's educational, research, public service, and campus support functions and activities.
- The activity is needed to provide an integral good or service that is not reasonably available in the community; or the activity is needed to provide an integral good or service at time, price, location, or terms that are not reasonably available in the community.
- The activity is carried out for the primary benefit of the campus community and is incidental to the education, research, service, or extension missions of the university.
- The activity is carried out due to the importance of maintaining the quality of the institution.
Departments engaged in institutional activities, which have not previously been reviewed and approved by the Competition with the Private Sector Review Committee, shall request committee review and documented approval by contacting Iowa State University's Division of Operations and Finance. No sales of products shall be conducted solely for the purpose of profiting from the public sale. Sales of products or services to the general public shall be secondary and incidental to the primary function of the university. Departments shall not seek to advertise or promote sales for the purpose of increasing the volume of general public sales without approval of the Competition with the Private Sector Review Committee.