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Reminder...
Latest Innovations In Green Purchasing
Thursday, June 4
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Agency Certification Award
Deadline:
Monday, June 1
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Planning on testing for the CPPO or CPPB in October?
Deadline to apply for October Exams:
Monday, July 27
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Advocacy: Connect With Your Colleagues On Legislative Issues |
NIGP now offers an electronic listserv discussion group for those individuals who are interested in learning and sharing information about legislative issues affecting the public procurement profession. This newest listserv will be particularly helpful to chapter affiliate liaisons who are responsible for tracking pending state legislation or local ordinances on behalf of their chapter. Subscribers to the listserv will be able to discuss the latest legislation initiatives and receive alerts on what’s happening elsewhere. The Legislative Listserv is the brainchild of the NIGP National Advocacy Committee, which plans to glean from the various discussions the issues and topics that provide the focus for technical position papers that advocate the value of public procurement.
Subscription to this Legislative Listserv is free to NIGP national members. Simply visit the NIGP Website, select the Communities tab, and then Discussion Lists. The Website will ask you to logon in as a national member and, once accomplished, you can scroll down the page to join the Legislative List.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Rick Grimm, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP’s Chief Executive, at rgrimm@nigp.org
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Advocacy: Bill Introduced To Open GSA Schedules To State and Local Recovery Act Spending |
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-NY) intends to introduce legislation that would allow state and local governments access to the General Services Administration's (GSA's) multiple award schedules for purchases made with Recovery Act funds, reports Government Executive.
During remarks at a conference last month sponsored by the Coalition for Government Procurement (CGP), Towns said it made sense to open the schedules to cooperative purchasing, because approximately half of all Recovery Act funds will be spent by nonfederal government entities. Last year, Towns cosponsored legislation that authorized state and local governments to purchase law enforcement, firefighting, security, and other related items using GSA's Schedule 84 (see What's New In Acquisition, June 27, 2008). Lawmakers have suggested also allowing access for purchases of environmentally friendly products. "I think the day is coming when there will be cooperative purchasing across the board," remarked CGP president Larry Allen. Former GSA administrator Lurita Doan and former acting administrator James Williams have supported the idea, but Martha Johnson, President Barack Obama's nominee to head GSA, has not yet indicated her position.
According to GSA deputy administrator Barney Brasseux, the agency has identified between $40 billion and $50 billion in Recovery Act funding allocated to other federal agencies that could be spent through GSA's Federal Acquisition Service contracting vehicles. "We are making the customer aware that they can get everything they need from GSA," Brasseux noted.
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Education: New Course & Textbook - Contracting for Construction Services |
Procurement is no longer just the sourcing agent for the materials and services necessary to support construction programs. Increasingly, purchasing agents must also shoulder the responsibilities of contract and program managers.
NIGP introduces Contracting for Construction Services, a two-day course that examines the many processes and techniques that contribute to successful public works projects. If your chapter or agency wishes to host this two-day course, please email events@nigp.org or call Patrice Freeman at 800-367-6447 x276 or Michael Romero, CEM, at 800-367-6447 x248.
Course Overview:
Understanding how construction projects are initially defined and budgeted, the responsibilities of the project manager, major methods of construction and how to select contractors is critical to every capital development program. By defining terms that may be unique to infrastructure development and clarifying the many elements of the pre-, mid-, and post-construction phases, this course is immediately useful to both beginning and experienced construction contract managers.
Course Objectives:
• Describe the different budgeting processes and financing options
governments use for public improvement projects
• Define and describe the basic steps in hiring a design professional
for a governmental construction project
• Differentiate and determine the best contracting method for a
specific construction project
• Identify the elements in the construction life cycle and describe
the roles and responsibilities of the teams in each element
• Understand the options and related impacts of green/sustainable
construction processes
• Recognize the basic elements of the contract administration plan and
identify the roles and responsibilities of all the parties
Course Textbook:
Contracting for Construction Services,
by Wendell C. Lawther, Ph.D., and
John O. Adler, CPPO, effectively
unveils the processes and techniques
that contribute to successful public
works projects.
Purchase your copy from NIGP's Store.
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Two Upcoming Webinars: Negotiation Basics & Contract Administration |
Negotiation Basics
Tuesday, June 16
1PM to 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 10
Course Objectives:
• Examine what negotiation is and isn't
• Define the primary factors in a negotiation strategy and detail
fundamental steps in the negotiation process
• Identify key considerations when approaching any negotiation
and review common mistakes made in negotiations
• Learn techniques that can be applied in and out of the workplace
Presented by:
David Dise, CPPO
Director, DGS Montgomery County Government, Maryland
Register Today
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Contract Administration: A Plan for Success!
Thursday, June 18
1PM to 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 12
Course Objectives:
• Consider the different methods of
contract administration
• Plan for proper administration of a contract
• Use new ways to monitor and record the success of the
contract and the contractor
Presented by:
Rob Rickard, CPPO
OPBC, Secretary of State, Oregon
Register Today
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Professional Development: June Courses |
NIGP's unique approach to curriculum development ensures that learning experiences are grounded in practical experience and seasoned by insights from the academic community. Here's what's coming in June:
June
Adding Value to the Procurement Process
Date: June 10
Location: Olympia, WA
Instructor: Darin L. Matthews, CPPO, C.P.M.
Hosted by: Washington State Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Cathleen F. Robinson, CPPB
206-801-2321
crobinso@ci.shoreline.wa.us
Date: June 22
Location: Miami, FL
Instructor: Michael E. Bevis, CPPO, C.P.M.
Hosted by: Greater Miami Chapter of NIGP, Inc.
Registration contact: Joe V. Rodriguez, CPPB
305-460-5121
jrodriguez2@coralgables.com
Contract Administration
Date: June 1-3
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Instructor: Steven K. Updike, CPPB, FCPA, FCCM, FCN
Hosted by: Florida Department of Management Services
Registration contact: Cyndee Sams, FCCN, FCCM
850-921-0266
Cyndee.Sams@dms.myflorida.com
Date: June 3-5
Location: Columbia, SC
Instructors: Norma J. Hall, CPPO, CPPB, CPM, and Christine W. Campbell, CPPO, C.P.P.
Hosted by: South Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing Officials Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Norma J. Hall, CPPO, CPPB, CPM
803-737-0642
nhall@mmo.sc.gov
Date: June 8-10
Location: West Chester, PA
Instructor: Sally C. Barkley, CPPO, C.P.M., M.B.A.
Hosted by: Pennsylvania Public Purchasing Association Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Robert B. Dopira, CPPB
610-278-3037
rdopira@montcopa.org
Date: June 10-12
Location: Houston, TX
Instructor: Sharon T. Gentry, CPPB, VCO, A.P.P.
Hosted by: National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP)
Registration contact: Patrice Freeman
800-367-6447 x276
pfreeman@nigp.org
Developing and Managing Request for Proposals
Date: June 8-10
Location: Albany, NY
Instructor: Ronald L. King, CPPO, CPPB, VCO
Hosted by: New York State Office of General Services
Registration contact: Trenton Graham
518-473-3716
Trenton.Graham@ogs.state.ny.us
Date: June 15-17
Location: Columbia, MO
Instructor: Alan H. Culpeper, CPPO, VCO
Hosted by: Missouri Association of Public Purchasing Chapter of NIGP
Registraton contact: Peggy A. Quisenberry
573-882-9215
quisenberryp@umsystem.edu
Effective Contract Writing
Date: June 25-26
Location: Bartow, FL
Instructor: C "Moty" Torres, MSPA, JO
Hosted by: Mid-Florida Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Corey Murphy, CPPB
813-272-4372
corey.murphy@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Effective Management of Construction Contracts
Date: June 19
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Instructor: Aaron D. Howell, CPPO, C.P.M.
Hosted by: Ontario Public Buyers Association, Inc. Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Gord J. Sears, CPPB
905-953-5335
gsears@newmarket.ca
Ethics: A Survival Kit for Public Procurement
Date: June 5
Location: Austin, TX
Instructor: Mary “Jane” Lopez, CPPO
Hosted by: Texas Association of Public Purchasers Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Ann Tillman, CTPM, CPIM
512-867-7160
ann.tillman@ers.state.tx.us
Introduction to Public Procurement
Date: June 1-3
Location: St. Peters, MO
Instructor: Mark D. Hutchison, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M.
Hosted by: St. Louis Metro Area Public Purchasing Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Diana L. Schoo, CPPB, C.P.M.
636-922-8387
dschoo@stchas.edu
Date: June 3-5
Location: Plano, TX
Instructor: Frederick Marks, CPPO, VCO
Hosted by: Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Cynthia L. White, CPPO, CPPB
972-758-3871
clwhite@ccccd.edu
Date: June 10-12
Location: Lethbridge, AB
Instructor: Frederick Marks, CPPO, VCO
Hosted by: Canada West Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Marcy J. Soehn, CPPB
780-427-3270
marcy.soehn@gov.ab.ca
Date: June 17-19
Location: Lethbridge, AB
Instructor: Ronald L. King, CPPO, VCO, CPPB
Hosted by: Canada West Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Marcy J. Soehn, CPPB
780-427-3270
march.soehn@gov.ab.ca
Legal Aspects of Public Procurement
Date: June 3-5
Location: Jackson, MS
Instructors: Myra D. Smith, CPPB, and Suzette Moore, CPPO, CPPB
Hosted by: Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing and Property Agents Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Justin Dean Stepp
601-359-7450
jstepp@mdot.state.ms.us
Date: June 10-12
Location: Baltimore, MD
Instructor: Myra D. Smith, CPPB
Hosted by: City of Baltimore Purchase Bureau
Registration contact: Cecil S. Moore, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., A.P.P.
410-396-5700
cecil.moore@baltimorecity.go
Date: June 22-24
Location: Ocala, FL
Instructor: James H. Davis, CPPO, M.B.A.
Hosted by: Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers, Inc.
Registration contact: Carrie F. Woodell, CPPB, CFCM, C.P.M., A.P.P.
407-599-3434
cwoodell@cityofwinterpark.org
Date: June 24-26
Location: Aurora, CO
Instructor: Jennie E. Readey, CPPO, CPPB
Hosted by: Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association Chaptyer of NIGP
Registration contact: Sherri Gibson
303-245-5941
sherri.gibson@bvsd.org
Managing Your End Users and Suppliers: It's All About Relationships
Date: June 18
Location: Fishersville, VA
Instructor: Michael E. Bevis, CPPO, C.P.M.
Hosted by: Virginia Association of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Katherine V. Gordon, CPPB
703-257-8327
ggordon@ci.manassas.va.us
Performance Based Request for Proposals
Date: June 1-2
Location: Winter Park, FL
Instructor: Susan L. Fitzgerald, CPPO, M.P.A., C.P.M., PMP
Hosted by: Central Florida Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Carrie F. Woodell, CPPB, CFCM, C.P.M., FCCN
407-599-3434
cwoodell@cityofwinterpark.org
Planning, Scheduling and Requirement Analysis
Date: June 16-18
Location: New York, NY
Instructor: Alan C. Bodine, CPPO, CPPB
Hosted by: New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services
Registration contact: Ellen E. Lee
212-487-5943
elee@dcas.nyc.gov
Principles and Techniques of Problem Solving
Date: June 12
Location: Columbus, OH
Instructor: Michael J. Kolodisner, CPPO
Hosted by: Central Ohio Organization of Public Purchasers Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Walter Schneider
614-644-5151
walter.schneider@das.state.oh
Sourcing in the Public Sector
Date: June 24-26
Location: Washington, D.C.
Instructor: Myra D. Smith, CPPB
Hosted by: Metropolitan Washington Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Adele E. Smith, CPPB
212-724-4960
Adele.SMith@dc.gov
World Class Performance Practice
Date: June 3
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Instructor: Michael E. Bevis, CPPO, C.P.M.
Hosted by: Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Danielle L. Hinz, CPPO, C.P.M.
303-651-8494
Danielle.hinz@ci.longmont.co.us
Date: June 12
Location: Hollywood, FL
Instructor: Marcheta E. Gillespie, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., CPM
Hosted by: Southeast Florida Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Karen J. Walbridge, CPPB, C.P.M., A.P.P.
954-357-7306
kwalbridge@broward.org
Date: June 18
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Instructor: Darin L. Matthews, CPPO, C.P.M.
Hosted by: Ontario Public Buyers Association, Inc. Chapter of NIGP
Registration contact: Gord J. Sears, CPPB
905-953-5335
gsears@newmarket.ca
To register for a seminar, or for local information, please contact the seminar coordinator listed. All seminars are conducted from 8AM to 5PM, except as noted. If you are interested in hosting a seminar in your area, please email events@nigp.org or call Patrice Freeman at 800-367-6447 x276 or Michael Romero, CEM, at 800-367-6447 x248.
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The Seven Sins Of Greenwashing |
Your eyes aren't deceiving you, but the labels might be.
There are more products claiming to be green these days, however those 'all-natural' and 'organic' products are likely committing at least one of the Seven Sins of Greenwashing, by not telling the complete truth.
Greenwashing is defined as the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service. The Seven Sins of Greenwashing, from most common to least common, are:
1. The Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off occurs when one environmental issue is emphasized at the expense of potentially more serious concerns. In other words, when marketing hides a trade-off between environmental issues. 100% recycled paper towels, for example, are not necessarily environmentally-preferable just because they contain recycled content.
2. The Sin of No Proof happens when environmental assertions are not backed up by evidence or third-party certification. One common example is 'chlorine-free' bleach that claims to be better for the environment without providing any supporting details.
3. The Sin of Vagueness occurs when a marketing claim is so lacking in specifics as to be meaningless. 'All-natural' is an example of this Sin. Arsenic, uranium, mercury, and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring, and poisonous. "All natural" isn't necessarily 'green'.
4. The (new) Sin of Worshiping False Labels is when marketers create a false suggestion or certification-like image to mislead consumers into thinking that a product has been through a legitimate green certification process. One example of this Sin is a paper towel product that uses a certification-like image to make the bold statement: "this product fights global warming".
5. The Sin of Irrelevance arises when an environmental issue unrelated to the product is emphasized. One example is the claim that a disinfectant spray is 'CFC-free', since CFCs are banned by law.
6. The Sin of Lesser of Two Evils occurs when an environmental claim makes consumers feel 'green' about a product category that is itself lacking in environmental benefits. Air fresheners are an example of this Sin.
7. The Sin of Fibbing is when environmental claims are outright false. One common example is products falsely claiming to be Energy Star certified.
The 2009 Seven Sins of Greenwashing TerraChoice Report focused on cleaning products, children's toys, baby products, and cosmetics, because these product categories are the most susceptible to greenwashing. Cleaning products are also of particular concern to schools, hospitals, offices and other commercial buildings as they have made connections between indoor air quality, chronic illnesses (such as asthma) and cleaning products. As a result, the number of cleaning products claiming to be green has risen. The full report and handy consumer tips can be found at: www.sinsofgreenwashing.org.
From TerraChoice Environmental Marketing. For more information, visit www.terrachoice.com.
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International: The Launch of the Procurement Institute of the Americas |
"The launch of the Procurement Institute for the Americas establishes a forum for professionals throughout North, South and Central America to share government procurement needs and processes."
Dr. J.P. London, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of CACI International, Inc.
The Procurement Institute of the Americas (PIA) will serve the international procurement community as a resource for fostering hemispheric economic collaboration and mutually beneficial procurements between governments and their citizens.
Jose F. Nino will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the PIA and envisions the following:
"Through our annual conference, goodwill tours, publications, and other activities, the Procurement Institute of the Americas will serve as an invaluable resource on international trade and procurement issues for governments, businesses, academic and research organizations, " said Nino. "The PIA will bring together procurement professionals from throughout the Americas to promote best practices, expand markets and share efficient methods and standards for acquiring goods and services. Our goal is to be a procurement think tank that enables mutually beneficial inter-country procurements."
Nino is President of El Nino Group, Ltd., an international business development and financial services company. For more information about the Procurement Institute of the Americas, visit www.PIAmericas.org.
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