Resources

Vendors

I’d like to invite an administration official to an event that my company or organization is sponsoring

Mayor’s Executive Order 03-11 replaces Executive Order 02-04 and prohibits vendors (or anyone else dealing with or doing business with the City), from offering gifts, i.e. invitations to events, meals, drinks, professional development opportunities, to City executive department officials and employees and members of City boards and commissions. Vendors who violate this Executive Order face debarment or other sanctions.
Every once in a great while, however, individuals, companies, or organizations may sponsor events – say, a business conference or opening of an art exhibit – that they’d like an administration official or employee to attend. While this type of invitation might benefit the individual official or employee, it may be also be considered a “gift to the City,” if it’s in the City’s interest to have the official or employee attend the event.

Please address these invitations to the head of the relevant City agency, department, or commission, not to any individual administration official or employee. The agency/department/commission head must decide if the invitee is the logical person to represent the City at the event. This approving official must articulate a legitimate, defensible justification for why the City should be represented at the event and why the invitee is the logical City employee to use the benefit and be that representative. Considerations will include whether the number of invitees is appropriate, whether there are unnecessary (or lavish) extras unrelated to the governmental purpose, and whether the City would be willing to spend money for the purpose ostensibly benefiting the City. If you have any questions about a proposed invitation, please contact the City’s Chief Integrity Officer at Integrity@phila.gov or 215 686 2178.