Montana State Purchasing Agent records

Montana State Purchasing Agent records, 1933-1934

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Montana. State Purchasing Agent
Title: Montana State Purchasing Agent records
Dates: 1933-1934 (inclusive)
19331934
Quantity: 0.2 linear ft
Collection Number: RS 493 (Formerly RS 48)
Summary: 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.
Repository: Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions: Collection open for research.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Montana Legislature created the Montana State Purchasing Department in 1921. The Department supervised 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, and their duties were transferred to the Department of Administration's Purchasing Division. As of 2024, the Purchasing Division is now the State Procurement Services Division.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

These Montana State Purchasing Agent records (1933-1934) 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.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives, Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged at collection level. No box-folder inventory available.

Location of Collection

18: 7-6

Processing Note

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.

Archives West Finding Aid

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