What are your 2017 priorities?

State CPOs recognized the strategic role of state central procurement as their number one priority for 2017. This includes centralized procurement authority, elevated role of the central procurement office in the hierarchy of the executive branch and active participation in creating an enterprise vision for the state. Procurement workforce professionalization and integrated eProcurement/ERP solutions increased in priority over last year. For the third year, measuring performance was consistently ranked high among the top five most important issues for state procurement. To learn about the other priorities in state procurement,  download the 2017 Top Ten Priorities now.  
Welcoming our New Leadership

As we bid adieu to 2016 and begin a new year, NASPO welcomes our 2017 officers and board members, who officially assumed their new leadership roles on January 1. Our 2017 President Larry Maxwell of New Mexico is joined by the new President Elect Jim Butler of California, Treasurer Kent Beers of Utah and Immediate Past President Deborah Damore of Vermont. For a complete list of the 2017 NASPO Board of Directors check out our latest press release.

New Publications
What did you miss in 2016?

Did you know that last year, NASPO produced 16 offerings that tied to the Top Ten Priorities for State Procurement in 2016?Check out the 2016 Research and Publications Roundup to make sure you didn't miss any of the papers, reports, webinars, survey results and other resources produced by NASPO this past year.

Cyber Liability Insurance Memo

Get a quick overview of the great information included in NASPO's recent publication, "Cyber Liability Insurance 101" in the Memo! Be sure to also check out the full version of the paper as well.

Navigating the IT Procurement Landscape

In continuing their shared interests in working together to improve IT procurement, NASPO and NASCIO have developed an action plan for navigating the ever-changing terrain shaping state procurement efforts and information technology updates. The action plan addresses several key areas of state government common to both specialties, including governance and organizational structure; teaming and roles; interactions and processes; and budgeting and forecasting.

Exchange
Learn. Network. Partner.

The NASPO Exchange in St. Louis, March 12-14 is THE opportunity to learn, network and partner with peers in state procurement and suppliers from throughout the country. The innovative education sessions, dynamic peer-to-peer conversations and engagement activities form the foundation upon which long-lasting relationships can be built!

Learn - The education program includes interactive sessions and expert speakers, each hand-selected to address current trends in state procurement and the questions most important to Exchange participants.

Network - One-on-One appointments with state procurement representatives are the critical networking component of the conference. Meet with states to learn more about contract opportunities and the business practices unique to each jurisdiction.

Partner - Collaboration is key - whether it's state procurement or working together on serving the local community. Learn more about the state representatives that will be in attendance and join together in service for the NASPO Cares project.

For more information about the Exchange, contact NASPO Staff.


Academic Forum
Join us March 19-21 in Tempe, Arizona for the inaugural NASPO Academic Forum. Hosted by Arizona State University's Department of Supply Chain Management, this meeting will bring together academics and state procurement leaders to discuss challenges in the attraction and retention of qualified talent in state procurement. Click here to view the program agenda.  Registration for this event is invitation only - please contact  NASPO staff   if you have questions about attending this event. 

IBIS World
Upcoming Training Webinars

IBIS World, the online marketing research tool, is offering two webinar training sessions February 7 at 2 p.m. EST.  The sessions will last 30 minutes and will run back-to-back. The first session will serve as an introduction to IBIS World, and the second session will focus on application and stories from how other states have used the resource. Click here to learn more about IBIS World and register for the webinar. Contact Amy Mitchell, Research Coordinator, with any questions. 

Procurement U
Register NOW for CPPO & CPPB Prep Courses

The CPPO and CPPB prep courses are for public procurement professionals that have met the eligibility requirements set forth by the UPPCC and are planning to take either the CPPB or CPPO exams.  Course participants are expected to have acquired prior knowledge in each of the domain areas through training, education and professional experience.  While learning elements within the course cover the domain topic areas, this course is not designed to be instructional in nature.  Rather the courses are designed as a self-study  of the UPPCC Body of knowledge , along with some facilitated review by a CPPB and/or CPPO certified instructor.  Both courses provide resources, live facilitated discussions, exam practice questions and learning assessment exercises that allow individuals to gauge exam readiness.

Delivery Method: Web Based, Instructor Led
Course Dates: February 13 - April 16, 2017
Contact Hours: 12
Registration Closes: February 6
Registration: $480 standard rate, $300 discounted rate 

For more information and syllabus, please click the corresponding icon below.

                
Upcoming Conference Save the Date!

Save the Date for Procurement U's  2017 State Training Coordinator Conference which will be held July 14-16, 2017 at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel in Asheville, NC. Don't forget to mark your calendars! 

This event is an opportunity for NASPO members who coordinate state procurement training efforts to come together to share peer-to-peer solutions, identify curricula needs, learn about instructional methodology and exchange training resources. Additional information will be released soon.

Please contact Procurement U staff with any questions regarding courses or the State Training Coordinators Conference.
NASPO ValuePoint Leadership Opportunities

NASPO ValuePoint has openings for procurement and subject matter experts on the following teams:

* Breast Pump, Related Accessories & Services
* Drone Services
* Ground Maintenance Equipment
* Inmate Kiosks
* Managed Print Services
* Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS)-Provider Management Services
* Police Radar, Lidar, Parts and Accessories
* Procurement Acquisition Services
* Tires, Tubes and Services

Who Can Be Recommended? Procurement Office Staff & Related Subject Matter Experts

How to Apply: Contact your State Chief Procurement Officer about participating. If your state would like to nominate someone, either a procurement or subject matter expert to participate on the team, please forward their name and contact information to Tim Hay.



NASPO's mission is to help our members achieve success as public procurement leaders in their states through promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies.