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Exceptions to Standards

Exceptions to application and hardware standards could be requested for many reasons.  Here are some larger categories:

• Instances where benefits of breaking from standards are available at a substantially lower cost by using non-standard equipment or software.
   
• Instances where experimentation is desirable to research new products or features.
   
• Instances where the equipment or software choice is preferred (or dictated) by the selection of other equipment or equipment support to successfully accomplish a project.

Process for Granting Exceptions

If a purchaser desires to gain both approval for and support of items not on the standard lists, the following steps shall be followed:

• A written explanation of why the exception is being requested shall be forwarded to the Department Head being asked to approve the purchase when an order is being created.  The explanation should include benefit improvements expected, as well as purchase and support costs, which may differ if the requested purchase is approved.
   
• The Department Head will call upon the Director of Information Technology to review the request in tandem.  All pros and cons of the request will be fully and openly discussed.
   
• The request will be approved (Purchase Order created) or denied (returned to the requester) at the conclusion of the review.
   
• The Vice President controlling the budget will be the final point of appeal, if needed.

Support for Items Purchased by Exception

Items purchased by approved exception to the purchasing policy will be supported in the same spirit as items from the Standards lists.  An attempt will be made to determine whether the Standards list should be changed to incorporate the exception item, if the same item is requested more than once.

NIC Information Technology, 2009/2010
infotech@nic.edu  | (208) 769-3230