Webinar: Contract Administration for Services - A How To!

Thursday, October 25
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, October 17

Objective:  Develop a proactive and effective contract administrator plan

•  Define the critical steps in contract administration
•  Identify frequent areas of conflict between agency and contractor
•  Provide helpful tips to overcome contract performance issues 

                                             Presenter:  
                                     
                                   Mary Beth Overturf, CPPO 
                     Director of General Services and Computer Services 
                            Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska

                                          Register Today

In the Know: NIGP Government Contractor Certificate Program

The Government Contractor Certificate (GCC) Program is designed specifically for private sector contractors who desire a greater awareness and understanding of public procurement processes and the government purchasing environment.

Knowledge and understanding of public sector contracting laws, principles, policies, and practices eliminate confusion and help to ensure quality offers and proposals as wll as improve communication between the buyer and seller. GCC Program seminars are taught by subject-matter experts and purchasing practitioners.

Congratulations to Brian Fisher, Proposal Manager, CDWG for achieving the NIGP Government Contractor Certificate. 

Are you someone who sells products and services to the government? Or are you a purchasing professional that knows a government contractor who could benefit from learning how to do business with the government? The NIGP Government Contractor Certificate Program is the key to better relationships between government buyers and government suppliers.

View GCC course descriptions and register for a seminar or get information about hosting a GCC class by contacting Michael Romero at mromero@nigp.org, or calling 800-367-6447 x248. [ return to top ]

Education Essential: Adding Value to the Procurement Process

There is an ongoing concern and interest in the public procurement community about the pressures of privatization...weighing benefits of whether centralization or decentralization is best...and about whether purchasing is a clerical or strategic and professional function within government (as it is in corporate industry).

One way to ensure the success and stability of public procurement is by making sure its practitioners bring value to their processes and prove an indispensable participant and contributor of the government organization adn in its strategic plan.

Adding Value to the Procurement Process is a one-day course that examines value and how it applies to the purchasing process.  This course is both motivational and practical, providing practitioners with the tools to create value with their customers.  "Adding Value to the Procurement Process "is taught by Darin Matthews, CPPO, C.P.M., David Dise, CPPO, or Michael Bevis, JD, CPPO, C.P.M.  View  the Seminar Schedule to find a course offering near you.  

The next "Adding Value to the Procurement Process" class is in Lynchburg, Virginia on November 2 and will be presented by David Dise, CPPO.  "Adding Value to the Procurement Process" is hosted by the Virginia Association of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. Chapter of NIGP.  To register, email deborah.powell@lynchburgva.gov.

If any chapter or agency would like to host this course, contact lgaffney@nigp.org or complete the 2007-2008 Seminar Request Form. 

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Survey Results: Where does your P-Card Coordinator Reside?

In a recent NIGP Pulse Poll, we asked “Where Does Your P-Card Administrator Reside?”  The results, based on 569 respondents, point to confirmation that the delegation of purchasing authority through p-card utilization does not extend to end-user department control of their own p-card programs.

Whereas the delegation of authority to spend is for many entities an operational necessity, the authority, oversight and check-and-balance remains primarily with the central purchasing body (70.75%).  In a significant minority of cases, program control resides in the Finance Department (21.02%), though it is not clear from the survey whether the respondent’s purchasing agency falls under the domain of Finance or if Finance administers p-cards independent of Purchasing.  Nevertheless, it is clearly exceptional when administrative program control lies outside the purview of Purchasing/Finance.

Thank you! to everyone who participated in the Pulse Poll.

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Retirement Never Looked So Good

You’ve been chomping at the bit for awhile.  School, military service, kids, they are all a faded memory—well, not the kids, but it has been awhile since you first joined the 9-to-5 gang.  And it’s been great.  For a number of years it was great.  But now, NOW, comes the really fantastic part...RETIREMENT.  Travel. Fishing. Golf. Hobbies. Redecorating. Sorting your sock drawer.  WAIT!  Maybe you’re not quite ready to give up the old life after all.  After all, you have developed many friendships among your peers and you have a genuine interest in developments taking place in the profession.

NIGP makes it easy--and inexpensive--for retired public procurement professionals to maintain their personal connections and stay in tune with the growth and development of our profession.  Here is a brief overview of the Retired Member program:
  
•  $35 annual membership fee  
•  Complimentary Forum registration
•   Uninterrupted NIGP National
    Member Benefits
•   Access to all Members Only areas of
    the NIGP Website, including e-Net 
    discussion lists and the
    ProQuest Research Library
•   Opportunities to serve on
    Board committees
•   Mentor up-and-coming professionals

If your retirement is just around the corner, send a quick e-mail to membercare@nigp.org with your home address and we will send you the enrollment form for your new status.  Or use the online application form available on the NIGP Web site.  The NIGP Retired Member program lets you enjoy the best of both worlds.  Congratulations on your pending retirement! [ return to top ]