Montana State Purchasing Agent records

Collection

Identifier: RS-48

Staff Only

Abstract

This collection is a subgroup (Division) within the Montana Department of Administration. The State Purchasing Department was abolished in 1974, and its duties were transferred to DOA's Purchasing Division, now State Procurement Services Division. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Administration records. These Montana State Purchasing Agent records consist of a subject file (1934) on the acquisition of elevator equipment for the Montana State Capital Building, including correspondence with Otis and Kimball Elevators, and a copy of the architect's specifications.

Dates

Creation: 1933-1934

Biographical sketch

The Montana State Purchasing Department was created by the state legislature in 1921. The Department was supervisor of the State Purchasing Agent who was appointed by the governor. The Agent was "to contract for and purchase or direct and supervise the purchase and sale of all supplies of whatever nature necessary for the proper transaction of the business of each and every state department, commission, board, institution, or official" upon the approval of the State Board of Examiners. The Agent also arranged the renting and maintenance of warehouses and let contracts for printing, paper, fuel, lights, etc. In 1934 specifications were issued and bids accepted from contractors for reconditioning the passenger elevators in the Montana State Capitol. The contract was awarded to the Kimball Bros. Company of Salt Lake City. In 1951 the State Controller became the ex-officio State Purchasing Agent and purchasing duties for the state were transferred to the Controller. Both the State Purchasing Department and the position of State Purchasing Agent were abolished in 1974, when the duties were transferred to the Department of Administration's Purchasing Division.

Extent

0.2 linear feet (.2 linear ft)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Department of Administration. Method of acquisition--Transfer;; Date of acquisition--August 9, 1968.

Scope and content

This collection is a subgroup (Division) within the Montana Department of Administration. The State Purchasing Department was abolished in 1974, and its duties were transferred to DOA's Purchasing Division, now State Procurement Services Division. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Administration records.

These records of the Montana State Purchasing Agent consist of a file of correspondence, specifications, bids, etc. relating to the reconditioning of the Capitol elevators.

Processing Information

In 2024, the various collections of the Montana Department of Administration were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 493, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the MTHS catalog, and to follow best archival practices.

Collections from Montana Department of Administration's various Divisions and Bureaus that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 493. Rather than reprocessing over 100 linear feet of Administration materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids, and provide access to them via links in the primary finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the Content Note above carefully to confirm if these are the records you wish to view.