Greetings Region 8

Hi Region 8!

With so many educational opportunities and modest travel and training dollars available, we need to be creative in budgeting and obtaining funds for education and training.  In addition to scholarship programs offered by your local chapter, you may want to consider applying for a  Lewis E. Spangler (LES) Foundation scholarship.

For scholarship information, contact your local chapter:

Wisconsin Association of Public Purchasers Chapter of NIGP
www.wapp.org
Minnesota Chapter of NIGP
www.mnnigp.org
Midwest Association of Public Procurement Chapter of NIGP
www.mapp-nigp.org
Illinois Association of Public Procurement Officials
www.iappo.org 
 
Signing off until next time. . .

Patti Huth, CPPO, CPPB
Region 8 Representative
630.271.4134 (voice)
phuth7@comcast.net 

D.C. Hammers Home Green Construction

A historic bill before the District of Columbia Council this month may make the District the first major US city requiring private developers to build environmentally-friendly projects that incorporate 'green' standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). USGBC is a community of  leaders from every sector of the building industry working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.  'Green buildings' address human and environmental health in five key areas:  site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. 

A 'green building' is described in the legislation as one that helps to alleviate the 'environmental, economic and social impacts' of a building so that it is  'energy efficient, sustainable, safe, cost-effective.'  Green buildings include energy-saving measures such as low-flow shower heads, recycled materials, passageways that promote walking, drought-tolerant plants and reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling to improve air quality.

Under the bill, within two years all new District-owned projects including schools would have to meet 'green' standards as established by the Green Building Council.  By 2009, any building with 20 percent public funding would also need to meet these requirements.  By 2012, most large construction, over 50,000 square feet —commercial and city-funded residential —would have to do the same.  These requirements also pertain to affordable housing.

The District would be the first large city to force private developers to meet the green standards.  In a preliminary vote last month, all 13 council members voted for the measure.  In the country, 550 buildings have been certified as green by the U.S. Green Building Council and more than 5,000 are awaiting certification.  Six buildings in the District have been certified as green. 

According to a written statement by Mayor Anthony A. Williams, the $611 million baseball stadium for the Washington Nationals is being built in compliance with the green standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council. 

For more information on green buildings visit www.usgbc.org. 

Source:  November 15, 2006, Washington Post [ return to top ]

Biometric Airport ID Cards Coming To Canada

By Alice Lipowicz, Staff Writer
Washington Technology

Canadian officials said they intend to deploy a new biometric identification card for 120,000 aviation workers at 29 major airports by year’s end.

Minister of Transport Lawrence Cannon proposed to implement the new Restricted Area Identity Card for airport personnel including flight crews, refuelers and caterers.

Authorized by Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the card will incorporate fingerprints and iris scans, according to a Nov. 10 government news statement.

The card is touted as “the world’s first-ever dual-biometric airport identification system,” because it will use both fingerprint and iris biometrics, the announcement said.

“We are always exploring methods to continuously improve all aspects of aviation security,” Cannon said in a statement. “Biometric technology is used around the world by security and police organizations to authenticate identity, and it will play an important role in helping to keep Canada's airports and skies safe.”

For more information www.washingtontechnology.com.

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TIPPs Symposium: The Future of Warehousing, Textbooks, and Security Systems

The three-day NIGP TIPPs Symposium (Tremendous Ideas for Procurement Professionals) in March 2007 focuses on the burning issues at the forefront of eProcurement and public school procurement.  Government professionals are invited to attend this unique symposium which brings together experts from similar procurement fields as part of NIGP’s knowledge communities program. Presenters share experiences, challenges and insights as participants gain knowledge to better address the business-critical decisions they must make.

Key Topics: 

•  Trends in online purchasing - what to embrace and 
   what to avoid

•  Pros and cons of warehousing and virtual warehousing

•  Future of textbooks in school systems

•  Challenges in security systems

•  Pcards for Project Management

•  Procurement's impact on Student Nutrition

Register today for this three-day series of insightful workshops, panel discussions, joint sessions and case studies. 

TIPPs Symposium 
March 5 – 7, 2007 
Savannah, Georgia 
Hilton Savannah DeSoto

Registration Deadline is February 20, 2007.

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Tis The Season...241 Days And Counting

Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa and his elves are busy wrapping up final preparations for:

1,200+  guests
160+  exhibitors
42  workshops
4  keynote speakers 
4  plenary sessions
4+ networking sessions
1  golf tournament
1  GCC Seminar
1  First-timer's meeting
1  CPPO Review Session
1  CPPB Review Session
1  Chapter Leadership Symposium

Early-Bird Registration is now available for the 2007 Annual Forum, August 4-8, 2007,  in Hartford, Connecticut.

Register Online using your NIGP PIN and password and receive immediate confirmation.   You can even request housing online.  If you do not know your PIN and password or have any questions, send an email to forum@nigp.org.

Registering online provides faster processing, and the ability to update your registration information as needed.  NIGP accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Purchase Orders online.

Early registration discounts are available through April 2007.  Register now to take advantage of these special rates!

Workshops and networking session topics will be announced in March.  Early Bird registrants will be able to go back and pre-register for these sessions online once announced.

Any Forum questions email or call 800-FOR-NIGP x227.

Interested in presenting a workshop in Hartford?  Share your expertise with your purchasing peers.  Call for Presentations closes December 15. 

Sorry, no reindeer allowed...Happy Holidays!

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UPPCC Representation Extended to CAPPO, FAPPO, NAEP & NPI

The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) has invited four collegial public procurement organizations to participate on its Board of Examiners (BOE). The BOE is the UPPCC body responsible for the development of the CPPO and CPPB examinations and for making decisions on matters relating to certification, recertification and revocation.

California Association of Public Purchasing Officers (CAPPO), Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (FAPPO), National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) and National Purchasing Institute (NPI) were each offered the opportunity to recommend one representative to serve on the BOE. All four organizations have accepted the Council’s invitation. With these additional seats, the BOE will be made up of twelve members; ten voting members and two advisory members. Three representatives each from the two UPPCC founding organizations; National Institute for Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) and National Association of State Purchasing Officers (NASPO) and one representative each from CAPPO, FAPPO, NAEP and NPI will make up the voting membership, while two advisory seats are split between the Canadian Federal Government and the Irish Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management. Each member of the BOE serves a three year term and can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.

“We are so excited by the developments that are taking shape,"said Don Buffum, CPPO, Chairman of The Council. 

     “The Council’s desire in expanding the BOE is to allow for broader input
     in the development of the public sector certification exams through the
     expansion of the BOE’s intellectual resources. We also ensure the
     applicability of the UPPCC certifications to the entire 
     public procurement profession.” 

All four organizations are working with their respective Boards and membership to select appropriate representation and hope to have those individuals in place for the January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2009 term.

“CAPPO is pleased and honored to accept the UPPCC’s invitation to join the Board of Examiners” said CAPPO’s President Denni Baumer, C.P.M., CPPB.

     “Our association has a long history of commitment to certification…. 
     the expansion of the BOE is another opportunity to advance our
     profession through certification and CAPPO is proud to be
     part of that endeavor.”

Echoing CAPPO’s sentiment, NPI’s President Pam Kirkland, CPPO, CPPB said, “NPI is very excited to become a part of the CPPO/CPPB certification process and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

Buffum added that

     “The UPPCC has made tremendous strides over the last few years in 
     enhancing the CPPO and CPPB programs. These are four great
     organizations, committed to professionalism within the industry
     and we are certain that their input will help to pave the way for
     truly universal public purchasing certification offerings.”

The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) is an independent entity formed to govern and administer the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification programs.

The CPPO and CPPB certifications are highly regarded and respected among procurement professionals and employers in the public sector. To date, the UPPCC has certified well over 10,000 professionals primarily within the US and Canada as well as in other nations around the globe.

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UPPCC Discontinues 'Delayed Eligibility' In August 2007

Since 2002, the UPPCC has offered applicants the option of applying for certification under delayed eligibility status. Delayed Eligibility allows individuals to take the certification examination(s) prior to fully meeting experience and/or coursework requirements. If successful on the examination(s), the UPPCC withholds the certification until all requirements are met. Delayed eligibility status has allowed applicants to pursue certification and earn practical experience and coursework hours simultaneously.

With the introduction of situational questions into the new examinations in 2008, it will be essential for all exam candidates to possess the prescribed practical experience listed in the appropriate eligibility schedule prior to sitting for the examination. Therefore, the practice of applying under delayed eligibility is being phased out of the UPPCC application process. “The Council is dedicated to ensuring that all candidates are given equal opportunity to be successful in their certification endeavors, thus we feel it our responsibility to ensure that all applicants have met all eligibility requirements including education hours and experience before testing occurs,” added Buffum.

What does this mean for candidates “in process” under Delayed Eligibility?  Individuals with applications on file under delayed eligibility will be permitted to continue based on the previous delayed eligibility policy under which the individual applied.

If it becomes necessary for those applicants to reapply, the program policies in effect at the time of re-application will apply. All current candidates in delayed eligibility status will receive correspondence from UPPCC staff confirming their status as well as identifying any outstanding experience and/or coursework requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of this announcement.

What does this mean for new applicants for certification requesting Delayed Eligibility? Delayed eligibility will be phased out over the coming year. Though new applicants may still apply under delayed eligibility status through August 31, 2007, they should recognize that any outstanding experience or coursework requirements must be met by the end of the phase out period of August 31, 2007. As of September 1, 2007 any applicant applying for UPPCC certifications must fully meet all eligibility requirements at the time of application.

Certification fees will remain the same, however those applicants who cannot qualify and will no longer have the option of delaying eligibility may request a partial refund of certification fees. Certification fees (application, initial exam(s), and administrative fees) are combined into one payment payable to UPPCC at the time of application. However, in the event the application is not approved, the applicant may receive a refund representative of the portion associated with the examination fee(s).

The “Handbook for Professional Certification in Public Procurement” has been updated to reflect the changes in this announcement. Applicants for certification must utilize the current edition of the application (September 2006) and are responsible for program policies and procedures as outlined in the current Handbook (September 2006).

For more information please visit the Frequently Asked Questions on www.uppcc.org.


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