PIMA COUNTY PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT
RECEIVES PRESTIGOUS NATIONAL AWARD
Achievement of Excellence in Procurement®
The National Program to Benchmark Organizational Excellence in Procurement

BACKGROUND
In 1995, the National Purchasing Institute established a program designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement. The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) is awarded annually. This prestigious award is earned by those organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria that are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization. The National Purchasing Institute (NPI) is about education and networking for our members and other professionals associated with public sector procurement and supply management. NPI is the Official Public Sector Purchasing Affiliate of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

In addition to the National Purchasing Institute (NPI), the AEP is sponsored by the California Association of Public Purchasing Officers (CAPPO), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (FAPPO), National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), and National Association of Educational Buyers (NAEB). Associate sponsors are the Airport Purchasing Group (APG), Texas Purchasing Management Association (TPMA), The Innovation Groups (IG), and U.S. Communities.

In 2004, NPI made this award to 104 Cities, Counties and Public Agencies. Arizona agencies that received the award include the State of Arizona, Pima County and City of Tucson.
PROCUREMENT: DEVELOPMENT OF REQUIRED CAPABILITIES & PERFORMANCE
The 2005 criteria included 36 criteria items and the County’s submittal was comprised of almost 200 pages. Development or enhancement of the required capabilities and performance commenced more than a year ago and included the following:

• Ethics standards, Procurement manual

• Development of a guide “How to Do Business with Pima County”

• Staff augmentation and acquisition of Professional Procurement certifications

• Customer Survey

• Centralized Procurement Authority

• Internet functionality; Home Page; Posting of solicitations; Vendor Registration; Posting of Awards; Reverse Auction

• P-Card system; audit
• Electronic Purchase orders (enabled by Synergen)

• Presentation at National Regional Professional Procurement Conference; Officer of Professional Procurement organization

• Development of Annual Strategic Procurement Agreements

The Procurement Department is committed to continuous improvement and is very proud to accept this award and recognition on behalf of the County Administrator, Board of Supervisors and all County employees.