Research Results: Comparison of Purchasing Staffing

How does your agency's staffing compare to other agencies?

The latest NIGP Benchmarking Survey provides some useful data to help you determine how your agency stacks up.

The average number of employees per Purchasing department is 11 FTE (full-time equivalent) consisting of 2 directors/managers, 6 buyers/agents, and 3 clerical/administrative positions.  Staffing depends on a number of factors including entity type and size.

The following presents the averages in various ways to help you evaluate your staffing.

Average Purchasing FTE by Entity Type

Entity Type	Directors/ Managers	Buyers/ Agents	Clerical Support/ Administrative	Total
City/Municipality	2	4	3	9
County/Region	2	9	3	14
School (k-12)	2	4	4	10
State/Province	3	7	6	16
University/College	2	5	2	9

Ratio of Average Purchasing FTE to Population Served

Entity Type	Mean Average	Median	Low	High
City/Municipality	1:42,360	1:26,000	1:4,481	1:600,000
County/Region	1:65,218	1:44,125	1:12,000	1:300,000
School (k-12)	1:6,398	1:6,397	1:1,000	1:16,917
State/Province	1:1,478,913	1:650,000	1:170,588	1:9,333,333
University/College	1:5,564	1:2,850	1:833	1:53,333

Note:  There were not enough responses from other entity types to provide meaningful averages.

Procurement FTE as a Percentage of Total Entity FTE

Entity Type
City/Municipality	.7%
County/Region	.6%
School (k-12)	.4%
State/Province	1.1%
University/College	.7%
Overall Average	.8%

Procurement FTE by Total Agency Budget Range

Entity Budget Range	Average Purchasing FTE
Under $40 million	4
$40 million to less than $80 million	6
$80 million to less than $200 million	5
$200 million to less than $400 million	7
$400 million to less than $1 billion	17
$1 billion to $2 billion	24

For additional useful benchmarking data, visit NIGP Research Studies or contact Tina M. Borger, CPPO, NIGP's Director of Research and Technical Services at 800-367-6447 x261.

Member News: Miami-Dade County Works with GSA to Implement Local Preparedness Acquisition Act

The General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced they are amending the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation to implement the Local Preparedness Acquisition Act. 

The act authorizes the Administrator of General Services to provide for the use by state or local governments of federal supply schedules of the General Services Administration for alarm and signal systems, facility management systems, firefighting and rescue equipment, law enforcement and security equipment, marine craft and related equipment, special purpose clothing, and related services. 

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (OIA) and Miriam Singer, Director of Procurement for Miami-Dade County, worked with Commissioner Sally Helyman and Jill Klaskin-Press, CPPO, to conduct scores of meetings in Washington, DC, with Members of Congress and Industry Coalitions to pass the aforementioned legislation that can help Miami-Dade County save tens of thousands of dollars in the next few years. 

This interim rule allows for state and local purchasing under GSA Schedule 84, which covers products and services related to law enforcement and security.  Schedule 84 includes items such as fire alarm systems, door entry control devices, intrusion detection sensors, bomb detection equipment, perimeter security and video surveillance systems. 

OIA will continue to work with Members of Congress, NACo, and Industry Coalitions to open additional GSA schedules, allowing state and local governments to reduce time and resources spent on negotiating and awarding contract for needed goods and services and gives them access to the Schedule-negotiated prices on the Federal Supply Schedule. 

Access to federal schedules relating to 'green' building materials and 'green' products has recently been mentioned in DC as a possible next step in opening schedules for state and local governments to meet the growing demand as these governments move toward going green.

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Education: Certification Begins with NIGP

NIGP's Education team has produced an exceptional suite of products to assist candidates preparing for their CPPB and CPPO exams.  

Through Cert Prep Central, candidates can chart their certification preparation and purchase a range of products and services including Prep texts and classes, online self-assessment reviews and simulated exams.  All of these products have been specifically mapped to the revised Body of Knowledge contained in the computer-based tests that will be offered by the UPPCC in October 2008.

In addition to its classroom-based offerings, NIGP introduces a new online assessment tool to help candidates identify the subject matter areas they most need to review during their exam preparations.  Once the online assessment is completed, candidates can better identify the specific preparatory products that will best meet their studying needs.  Available through Cert Prep Central:

•  A self-study review session guides the participant through the ten domains identified in the UPPCC body of knowledge.  The review session is un-timed, offers references and expert contacts, and is available to the participant for a seven-day period.

•  A simulated exam is timed and provides the candidate with a raw score.   The candidate can re-take the simulated exam multiple times during a two-day period.  With each exam, the item bank of questions is modified.  This tool is designed to offer a realistic testing environment for practice.  This assessment consists of 100 questions that must be answered in a two-hour timeframe.

Another feature of Cert Prep Central is a recommended study timeline to help candidates plan ahead for their study activities.  Whereas in the past, candidates may have attended a review class the day before the exam; this is NOT the best method to prepare for the new computer-based certification exam.  The scope of the UPPCC exam covers an entire profession.  Preparation is not simply review.  This study timeline reflects NIGP's belief that preparation for the exam is best done over a six-month period and incorporates a variety of activities.

For more information about certification preparation or the products and services that will help you achieve your certification goals, visit Cert Prep Central or contact education@nigp.com.   




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Upcoming Webinar: GSA State and Local Disaster Purchasing Program

Wednesday, November 12
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, November 5


Course Objectives:


•  Outline state and local access to GSA Multiple Award Schedules 
   in advance of and in the aftermath of major disasters and
   acts of terrorism

•  Understand purchasing via the GSA Schedules and meeting the
    requirements to receive FEMA Public Assistance Reimbursement

•  Learn how state and local governments can utilize GSA
   Multiple Schedule contacts
   

                                      Presented by:
                                
Tricia Reed, Program Analyst, Office of Acquisition Management

                                      Register Today  [ return to top ]

Webinar Sweepstakes: Celebrates National Distance Learning Week

NIGP kicks off a Webinar Sweepstakes in celebration of National Distance Learning Week (November 10 - November 14),

Learning is just a click away and so is your chance to win.  Register for any NIGP Webinar today through November 14 and you will be automatically entered into a random drawing to win three free Webinars.  The more Webinars you register for, the more chances you have to win.

To qualify, your Webinar registration (either fax or online) must be dated today through November 14.   Members and non-Members are eligible to win.  The drawing will be held on Monday, November 17 and the winner will be notified by November 19 via email.  Winner must redeem the three, free Webinar registrations.

Have you learned online today?  Webinars are a great opportunity to participate in professional development that is convenient for you and cost effective.  Webinars provide:

•  Easy access to knowledge and information
•  Cost savings (no travel needed)
•  Convenience (safe time and learn at your desk)
•  Contact hours toward UPPCC certification

For more information, contact distancelearning@nigp.org.





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U.S. Communities & Responsible Purchasing Network Partner...

To Promote Green Products on Cooperative Contracts

What do you get when you combine aggregated influence of over 87,000 buyers with Responsible Purchasing Network's green purchasing programs?  A powerful new resource for finding and buying credible green products through competitively solicited contracts.

The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is the expert in green purchasing.  Their step by step resources narrow the complicated field of green procurement and take the guesswork out of effectively implementing environmental policies at your organization, community, company or office.  RPN compiles resources from the leaders in the green purchasing world and gives its users access to cutting edge research, industry experts, peers and a team of consultants.

By partnering with RPN, U.S. Communities can identify and promote the products on the U.S. Communities contracts that meet independent, third-party green standards such as those certified by GreenSeal, EcoLogo or EPEAT.

To learn more about green products, visit U.S. Communities Going Green. [ return to top ]