Greetings Region 8

Hi Region 8!

Have you noticed the three online courses available through NIGP?

•  How to Process and Evaluate Bids
   $150 Member Fee
•  Specification Writing
   $150 Member Fee
•  Unit Cost Analysis
   $75  Member Fee.

You have 90 days to complete the course and the course begins at the time login information is provided via e-mail.  Contact hours and recertification points can be earned if you successfully pass the course within the 90 days and score 70 or above on the open-book quiz at the end of the course.

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers additional online graduate courses in public procurement:  www.fau.edu . 

I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities.

Region 8 Chapter Websites:

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 

The Launch Of Canadian Communities Purchasing Alliance

U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance introduces its international affiliate.   Canadian Communities is sponsored by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and the Association of School Business Officials International. Designed in cooperation with Canadian government and education purchasing professionals, Canadian Communities provides an international purchasing forum for municipal, academic, social, health, federal, and provincial agencies as well as territories and crown corporations throughout Canada by pooling the purchasing power of thousands of government and education agencies internationally. All Canadian Communities contracts are competitively/transparently solicited/tendered and are in compliance with the Agreement on Internal Trade.

Relating the importance of the Canadian Communities program, Rick Grimm, NIGP Chief Executive Officer, asserts, “NIGP’s enthusiastic sponsorship of Canadian Communities is a reflection of our mission to support the needs of our Canadian members and professional colleagues.  Canadian Communities is a no-cost and no-obligation option for Canada’s purchasing professionals to realize significant 'hard-' and 'soft-dollar' cost savings to their agencies and communities.”

Canadian Communities currently offers six contracts through five suppliers for such commodity areas as Office and School Supplies; Office Furniture; Data Communications; National Security; Maintenance, Repair & Operations; and Homeland Security/Public Safety.

A leadership team comprised of key government and education purchasing officials has been established to provide advice and guidance for Canadian Communities. The leadership team is composed of eight public purchasing professionals from Canada. Members of the leadership team are Brian Barclay, Procurement Manager, Purchasing and Contracts Services, Edmonton Public Schools; Jamie Dobbin, Manager, Supply Management, Calgary Roman Catholic Separate; Bruce Everitt, Purchasing Manager, City of St. Albert; Ron Gilbert, Manager of Materials Management, Rocky View School Div No. 41; Gerald Goodall, Director Materials Management, City of Edmonton; Mark Gratton, Procurement Officer, Edmonton Public Schools; Mike Jenkins, Purchasing Manager, Foothills School Division #38; and Kathleen Muretti, Purchasing Manager, City of Airdrie.

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FEMA Opens Grant Period

By Alice Lipowicz
Washington Technology

Police, fire and emergency response agencies can look to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a share of $34 million in grants to buy security-related IT applications, video surveillance tools and interoperable communications equipment.

The grants come from the agency’s fiscal 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. The application period opened April 25 and closes May 29. The grants are competitive and must be consistent with state homeland security strategies.

FEMA has distributed nearly $70 million in grants since the program’s creation in fiscal 2005, according to an agency announcement. Local agencies spend the money on equipment and training, including thermal imaging, night vision and video surveillance tools; information technology; and risk management tools.

The program also allows agencies to use the grants for communications equipment, chemical and biological detection tools and personal protective equipment.

The program's goals are to strengthen regional response, mutual aid and interoperable communications capabilities across the nation.

© 1996-2007 1105 Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For more information, visit www.washingtontechnology.com.



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Highlights From the Spring NIGP Board Meeting

The NIGP Board of Directors conducted its Spring 2007 study session and official meeting on April 19 - 21 in Charlotte, North Carolina (NIGP’s host city for the 2008 Annual Forum and Products Exposition).

The NIGP Board’s two-day study session focused on multiple strategic partnerships including engaging discussions with the governing board of the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) and with representatives from the LES Professional Development Foundation.

The Board also met with the recently created NIGP Business Council that represents NIGP’s ten corporate sponsors. The council will ultimately grow to a maximum of 30 corporate sponsors representing a diverse spectrum of products and services utilized by the public sector.  During this session with the NIGP Business Council, the NIGP Board heard presentations on market trends that may impact purchasing decisions.  This ‘market intelligence’ will likely be a focal point of the Board of Directors' relationship with the council because the information and tools derive high value for the profession and NIGP’s membership.

The NIGP Board also participated in a workshop centered on the book entitled Seven Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Other’s Don’t, which is patterned after the best-seller Good to Great book written by Jim Collins. Of the seven measures, the NIGP Board plans to focus on a purposeful commitment to a customer service culture and to analysis and feedback based on dialogue and engagement with the membership.

Key Board Decisions:

•  Approved adjustments to the FY2007-08 budget, which was previously adopted
   in April 2006.  There are no fee changes other than the modest fee increases
   that were announced in April 2006.

•  Selected St. Louis, Missouri as the host city for the 2009 NIGP Forum and
   Products Exposition.

•  Elected Paul Brennan, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., the Director of Purchasing
   for the County of Rockland, New York, as the Institute’s Treasurer for the
   period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 (see the separate article in
   this Buy Weekly on the NIGP Officers elected for the next term).

•  Extended complimentary 2007 Forum registration to NIGP national
   student members. Student members can attend all workshops, plenary
   sessions, and networking sessions at no cost and can purchase tickets
   for any meal functions in Hartford.  (The Institute provides complimentary
   Forum registration to all retired members on an on-going basis).

•  Adopted revisions to its strategic plan and Board Policy Manual.

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Buffington and Brennan Elected As NIGP Officers

The NIGP Board of Directors has elected two new officers for the Institute who will ultimately lead NIGP as future presidents.

Due to the unexpected resignation of Debra Green, CPPO, CPPB, as NIGP’s Second Vice President, the Board called a special meeting in late March to advance Bill Brewer, CPPO, C.P.M. from the Treasurer’s position to the Second Vice President position. Mr. Brewer’s vacancy was then filled by Kirk Buffington, CPPO, C.P.M. who was elected as the Institute’s Treasurer.

During its Spring meeting, the NIGP Board traditionally elects its officers for the incoming year by elevating each current officer to the next position and electing a new Treasurer.  When the NIGP Board met in Charlotte on April 21, the Board elected Paul Brennan, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M. as its new Treasurer and subsequently elevated its other officers to their new positions beginning with the new fiscal year on July 1, 2007.

NIGP’s Officers for 2007-08:

President                                Ed Grant, CPPO, CPPB, RPPO  
                                               Chief Financial Officer - Cape May County,
                                               New Jersey 

First Vice President                 Bill Brewer, CPPO, C.P.M.  
                                                Materials Manager – City of Glendale,
                                                Arizona

Second Vice President            Kirk Buffington, CPPO, C.P.M.  
                                                Director of Procurement Services – City of
                                                Fort Lauderdale, Flordia

Treasurer                                 Paul Brennan, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M. 
                                                Director of Purchasing – County of Rockland,
                                                New York 

Immediate Past President       Darin Matthews, CPPO, C.P.M. 
                                                Division Manager for Procurement and Contracts –
                                                Metro Portland, Oergon 

Kirk Buffington began his career with the Walt Disney Company in Florida and brings 20 years of procurement management experience to the NIGP Board – progressing within his purchasing field through a school district and a county government before joining the City of Fort Lauderdale team in 1996. He has deservedly earned three promotions at the city and is currently serving as their Director of Procurement Services.

His leadership spans three prominent organizations - the Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (FAPPO) which he served as President in 2000; the Southeast Florida Chapter of NIGP, which he served as President in 2004; and NIGP.  As a NIGP leader, he is the co-author of the Legal Aspects of Public Purchasing text for the LEAP program, he has served on NIGP’s Research Committee and its Forum and Products Exposition Committee, he co-authored a white paper on electronic signatures for the National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council, and represented NIGP during the International Research Study on Public Procurement held in Budapest in 2003.

Kirk was elected to the NIGP Board in January 2004 as the Region 7 Representative for the State of Florida and the Territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Kirk holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University.


Paul Brennan entered the public sector when he joined the County of Rockland team in 1994.  He is currently their Director of Purchasing and the Deputy Commissioner of General Services. His prior private sector buying experience spanned ten years with various companies engaged in the furniture business.

At the county, he has been progressively responsible for the key activities of ERP implementation and process improvement, strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, healthcare, project management, strategic planning, and contract law.  He was instrumental in creating a seven county, local government cooperative purchasing group in an effort to achieve volume pricing discounts for participating entities.

Among his passions is legislative reform and advocacy on behalf of the public procurement profession – and he has testified before both Houses of the New York State Legislature in support of Government Procurement Reform. In addition to his achievements within county government, Paul has served the New York State Association of Municipal Purchasing Officials Chapter of NIGP (SAMPO) in a number of capacities including the presidency in 2004.   He was the first Chair of NIGP’s Advocacy Committee.  Paul was first appointed to fill a vacancy on the NIGP Board in September 2004 and is the Region 1 Representative for the northeastern States of Connecticut (host state for NIGP’s 2007 Forum in Hartford), Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.   Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Nyack College.

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Webinar: The Art Form of Specification Writing

Thursday, June 7
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  May 30

Course Objectives:

•  Differentiate between the kinds of specifications
•  Know when and how to use specifications
•  Apply some best practices in writing specifications
•  Utilize standardization in specification writing
•  Translate the end-users description into usable specifications  

                                                  Presenter:   
                                          
                                     Robin (Rob) Rickard, CPPO   
                                           Purchasing Manager   
                                      Oregon Secretary of State   

                                              Register Today                       

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A Procurement Essential: Effective Contract Writing Course

Today, many procurement professionals are required to organize, write and interpret contracts.

This two-day course is designed to cover the structure and meaning of enforceable contracts, which have a logical sequence and specific contract provisions. By learning the basics and rules for improvement, the principles become manageable. This essential contract writing course offers tips and tricks on the language that can be used when writing contracts for any entity. 

Through practical, hands-on exercises, you will learn how to:

•  Use language that is clear, concise and results in effective contracts
•  Spot traps in standard provisions and how you can deal with them
•  Develop techniques for favorable negotiated contracts
•  Identify provisions you must include and those which you should
   never include
•  Protect your contract from outside issues that might affect it 




                                               Presented By:
                            
                                      Michael Kolodisner, CPPO
                                   Contracting Services Manager
                      Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Michael Kolodisner has been around public purchasing for more than 24 years. He is currently Contracting Services Manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern Californa, the largest water agency in the United States.  Prior to taking this position, he was President of Pro-Train, and involved in training and consulting for both public agencies and private companies throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and South America.  Previously, Mike was Director of Administrative Services and Chief Procurement Officer for Orange County, California.

Michael will be presenting this course on Thursday, May 31 - Friday, June 1 in Chesapeake, Virginia, hosted by the Virginia Association of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. Chapter of NIGP.  To register contact Stephen M. Coomer, CPPB at scoomer@spsa.com .  Any chapter or agency that wishes to request this course should complete the Seminar Request Form.

Welcome Grand Canyon Chapter of NIGP

          
On Tuesday, April 3, agencies from the northern region gathered in Flagstaff, Arizona  for the Chartering of the Grand Canyon Chapter of NIGP.

The Chapter consists of  thirty-six original members from county, city, state, tribal, and educational agencies as well as the Mohave Educational Services Cooperative, which covers an impressive amount of territory in the area.

Grand Canyon Chapter's Inaugural Slate of Officers:

First President 
Scott Richardson, CPPO (holding the plaque in the photo)
Purchasing Manager for Coconino County

Vice President
Bill Brannen, C.P.M. (to the right of Scott in the photo)
Flagstaff Unified School District

Secretary/Treasurer
Jana Kelly (directly behind Scott in the photo)  
State of Arizona, DEMA

NIGP's Capital and Copper Chapters provided outstanding support and even made the trip for this momentous occasion.  The Capital Chapter members included:  Barbara Jewett, Bill Brewer and Marty Lynch; and Copper Chapter members included Marcheta Gillispie and Laura Jestings.  

Executive management from many of the agencies belonging to the newly chartered chapter were also on hand as was NIGP Board President, Darin Matthews, and NIGP Chapter Manager, Jennifer Steffan. [ return to top ]

Education Support From LES Scholarship

The LES Foundation Scholarship Program’s Mission Statement is to

        “provide financial resources through grants and scholarships that
         support the ongoing development of the public procurement profession
         and its practitioners.” 

To support and promote this mission, the LES Foundation will award three
scholarships at the NIGP 62nd Annual Forum and Products Exposition,
August 4-8, in Hartford, Connecticut.

The three scholarships available to NIGP members are:

•  Large Scholarship Award ($1,000).  This scholarship is awarded to students
   enrolled in a full-time program leading to a college degree or a part-time
   program of purchasing-related courses to improve their skills.

•  Small Scholarship Award ($500).  Same criteria as above.

•  NIGP National/Chapter Seminar Scholarship Award (TBD – based on cost of
   training).  This scholarship is awarded to individuals interested in enhancing
   their professional development training by taking NIGP National and/or
   NIGP Chapter Seminars or workshops.

Deadline for submittal is May 15.  A LES Scholarship Review Panel will review all applications and make award recommendations to the LES Foundation Board.  Winners will be notified prior to the Forum.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to obtain financial support as you continue to advance and improve your public purchasing professional career. Complete your LES Foundation Application today.

The Lewis E. Spangler (LES) Professional Development Foundation does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, sex, handicap, age, veterans status, national origin, religion or political affiliation.

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Forum Highlight: LES Foundation Golf Tournament & Silent Auction

3rd Annual LES Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament

Friday, August 3
12Noon to 6PM
Rockledge Country Club,
West Hartford, CT

It’s a gimme!  The 3rd Annual LES Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament takes place the afternoon of Friday, August 3, at the Rockledge Country Club in West Hartford.  Your registration fee includes tee/green/cart fees, box lunch, two beverage tickets, and transportation via motor coach to and from your hotel.  Tournament fees:  NIGP Member-$85; Non-member-$125.

For complete tournament schedule and registration information, go to Golf Tournament or contact Brent Maas at bmaas@nigp.org.

LES Foundation Silent Auction

The LES Foundation conducts its annual fundraising auction in conjunction with the NIGP Annual Conference and needs your support for its success.  Through the generous donations of goods and services from individuals and chapters, the LES Foundation provides financial support to those seeking professional development in public procurement.  Twice each year, the foundation awards grants and scholarships to individuals and programs that enhance our profession.

Please direct your donations to Brent Maas, NIGP Marketing Director, 151 Spring Street, Herndon, VA 20170; or inquiries about the LES Foundation to bmaas@nigp.org.


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