CONTRACTING INFORMATION

Supplier Expectations

Novation’s Business Ethics policies ensure compliance with legal and contractual requirements, prudent financial practices, and all other related corporate policies and procedures. In order to strengthen the relationship between Novation, VHA, UHC and suppliers, Novation developed this Supplier Expectations document which sets forth expectations to be displayed while conducting business with member facilities.

It is Novation’s expectation that all Novation-contracted suppliers conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner when interacting with Novation, VHA, UHC, and their members and affiliates.

Suppliers shall:

• abide by Novation’s policies related to gratuities and gifts to Novation employees, spouses and minor children
• act honestly and with integrity in all business dealings
• comply with all state and federal laws and regulations
• work in accordance with Novation’s Supplier Diversity program
• conduct all professional activities with fairness, dignity and respect in order to create and protect a trusting environment
• honor the terms and conditions of their Novation agreement(s)
• monitor Novation’s supplier Web site and update membership data weekly in order to maintain the accuracy of Novation’s membership database
• provide Novation with accurate and timely sales reporting in an electronic format
• provide a trained sales force to support Novation agreements
• provide market-competitive pricing through the Novation contract and monitor the marketplace, offering changes to the agreement to ensure that Novation agreements maintain “best pricing”
• respect professional confidences
• respect the agreements that Novation has in force with competing suppliers and not impede associated product evaluations
• submit payments accurately and promptly in accordance with contract terms
• support the health care industry’s efforts to adopt and promote uniform industry data standards for supply chain transactions electronically
• support the adoption of innovative technology

Access to VHA and UHC member health care organization is considered a privilege and may be revoked by the member at any time. Noncompliance with policies and procedures could negatively affect a supplier’s access to the health care organization. Therefore, Novation-contracted supplier representatives are responsible for understanding and complying with each individual facility’s policies and procedures. These policies and procedures may include but not be limited to:

• a health care organization’s policies related to gratuities and gifts
• access of unauthorized medical-surgical suppliers to medical or hospital personnel without proper approval of the facility
• access to specific areas of facilities (e.g., patient care areas, research facilities etc.)
• code of conduct
• confidentiality
• certification of training/education on equipment, products or services
• displays and product information
• disclosure of the existence of consulting arrangements with clinical staff
• identification badges
• immunization requirements
• parking
• price and cost information
• registration
• use of samples

Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance with the Novation Supplier Expectations and the health care organization’s policies for supplier representatives are monitored by the health care organization. Violations should be reported to both the supplier and Novation.

An online tool for documenting and reporting incidents of noncompliance to Novation is available at the Marketplace@Novation Web site. Facilities without access to Marketplace may call Novation Customer Support at 888/7-NOVATE to request a reporting form. Completed forms may be faxed to Novation at (972) 581-5444. Novation will compile noncompliance data, and this information will be considered as part of the nonfinancial criteria in awarding contract agreements to suppliers.