As many states grapple with the best ways to modernize and update their purchasing systems, the National Association of State Procurement Officials has released s even principles of state purchasing related to authority and centralization to establish a framework that individual states can follow to create efficient, modern and cost-effective purchasing processes.  These research supported best practices designed to help state officials who are considering procurement reform.  Download the Authority and Centralization Best Practices Matrix here . 

The  Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement is set to move to the US Congress for an up or down vote in 2016. This agreement contains an extensive government procurement section which is designed to further fair and open competition in all countries under the agreement making way for US vendors to gain better access into these foreign markets. Anticipating questions from state leaders as the vote gets media attention, the TPP Research Brief gives an overview of the government procurement language and provides information about the impact to state procurement under the agreement.  Download the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement Research Brief here . 

Did You Know?

You can check your NASPO Network digest to read about what's happening with NASPO in between our issues of the monthly NASPO Bulletin. Here are some of the conversations of note this month: 

Presenter: Matt Jones, Contract Management Specialist with the State of New York's Office of General Services, Procurement Services Division

Please join us for the fifth and final webinar of this year's Cronin Finalist Webinar Series. Our presenter will be Matt Jones from the State of New York presenting on their Finalist submission, New York State Vehicle Marketplace.

New York State Office of General Services, Procurement Services Division (OGS), has implemented a new way to buy Class 1 and 2 light-duty vehicles (including cars, vans, pickup trucks) that enhances competition and provides a greater selection of vehicles to meet contract user needs. This "Vehicle Marketplace" is where eligible contract users can go to purchase light-duty vehicles from contracted dealers via a mini-bid process. This improves service to users allowing them to get the right vehicle, at the right time, at the right price. 

All Cronin Finalist Webinar Series attendees are eligible to receive a certificate of completion credit. To receive credit, one must be present for the entire duration of the webinar.
To participate in this webinar, REGISTER now.

For more information on the examination process visit uppcc.org.

For helpful exam preparation tools check out the Certification Webpage  on the NASPO website. 

Carolyn Turner, CPPO, CPPB, will also be joining the research and policy team in early April as Procurement Knowledge Specialist. Carolyn has more than 17 years of procurement experience with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, most recently as Strategic Procurement Specialist II in the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She is a past president of the Kentucky Public Procurement Association and a certified instructor for NIGP.

We look forward to welcoming these new team members. Alex and Megan will both be at the How to Market to State Governments Meeting this week, so feel free to make an introduction if you see them.

	NASPO Director of Strategic Program Krista Ferrell (second from left)  noted that three states have approved legislation so far in 2016. Twelve other states are considering measures.