Latest Blogs

Reducing "Noise" in Evaluations

By Richard Pennington posted 06-21-2021
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In 2021, three giants in the fields of psychology, business strategy, and public policy published a new book:  Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass Sunstein, Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment . For my money, this book belongs on the shelf of every procurement professional. it has very practical advice.  Chapter 8, "How Groups Amplify Noise," itself is worth the price.       The book is focused on professional judgments, starting with the premise that a judgment is a measurement.  A judgment is an attempt to be as accurate as possible in matching a decision to reality, whether in a predictive judgment or an evaluative judgment.  Think about it, procurement ...
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Mechanical Engineering Equipment

By Miguel Gatmaytan posted 02-09-2021
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Greetings!!   We recently got contacted by Seattle University with regard to equipment they are disposing as surplus.   Seattle University mentioned that the assets are in good condition and they would rather see another institution get to use them rather than serve as land fill.  The following assets were listed by Seattle University: 1. Scale 2. Small Engine Test Bed 3. Engine Test Instrumentation 4. Vertical Tube with Dwyer Label 5. Fridge/Freezer 6. Cart with tubing and thermocouples 7. Demonstration Unit F790 8. Demonstration Unit H653 9. Demonstration Unit (Convection?) If you are interested in getting more information about the assets, or get photographs, ...
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NIGP’s Pathways, Adult Learning, and a Year of the Pandemic

By Richard Pennington posted 02-05-2021
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The title of this blog uses “ a Year” because it’s not over. Countless families are enduring suffering and death. I had a 10-day COVID hospitalization but avoided the ventilator. It’s a crappy disease. One way I deal with the bad feelings is to dive deeply into the positives when I can find them. NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement, now on Training magazine’s Top 100 list, pivoted this past year from a largely face-to-face training suite to essentially 100% virtual. In its Pathways program, NIGP was developing online courses, but not delivering them virtually to this extent. Allow me to reflect on some positives from the last year's change driven ...
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New Here

By Brandon Scott posted 12-02-2020
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I am new to the site, and the purchasing world within state government. I work for the local gas company here in NW Florida. I love to network and get to know others in the same profession. My background has been purchasing for the past 16 years in the Federal government and private sector. I look forward to getting to know everyone, and I am grateful to be here. Brandon
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A Short Tour of Legal Aspects of Public Procurement, 3rd Edition

By Richard Pennington posted 05-23-2020
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NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement has announced the release of their new edition of Legal Aspects of Public Procurement . (A PDF preview of chapter 1 is available through the Taylor & Francis e-book ink; the EPUB format e-book is available from VitalSource.com ,)      I am a co-author and summarize here the most significant changes from the 2nd edition. The overall structure was retained—Michael Flynn and Kirk Buffington’s book has stood the test of time in NIGP classes—with two new chapters added about legal issues in competitive sealed proposals (e.g. requests for proposals) and the legal context of contract administration.      The book starts ...
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State Police Uniforms Invitation to Bid Specs?

By Kay Brown posted 02-17-2020
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Hi, Looking for a great quality State Police Uniforms ITB.  Has anyone ever done a brand-name specific solicitation?  Or an RFP just to improve quality??
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Cost Per Unit

By Maiyo Lara posted 02-03-2020
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Hi all, I was assigned the task to research other states and county's cost per unit of service analysis for procurement activities (i.e. create purchase orders and contracts), payment service activities (accounts payable and receivable), and for inventory management activities. If any one could shed some light on these topics that would be very helpful. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
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Let's Share the Cool Things

By Michael Thornton posted 09-27-2019
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Last week I was preparing to present on my agencies implementation of our e-procurement system. With this implementation we now issue Solicitations and receive all responses 100% electronic.  No paper. During my preparation I came to realize Public Procurement Professionals are really, really bad at two things. The first is asking for what we need to do our job better and more efficiently. The majority of us do not ask for the tools, professional tools, needed to better serve our agency and suppliers. I guess the positive side of that is we are really, really good at getting by with what we have. We get by with using Excel, Word and creating PDF's. We are the ...
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PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SHOULD BE LIKE A HURRICANE - FORECAST

By Michael Thornton posted 09-13-2019
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Public Procurement Professionals MUST use their education, training, knowledge, experience, and tools in providing the best outcome for stakeholders, the agency and citizens. Modern day meteorologists have all these same things available to them to monitor and forecast weather conditions. With their information and resources they inform the public, making the best outcome possible on the other side of what can be a catastrophic event. Proactive, rather than reactive, decisions and actions can be executed. Much different from the long ago past when they merely recapped the day’s temperatures. They have moved from being weather people to meteorologists. Public ...
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Master Continuing Consultant Contract RFQ

By Bethany Owen posted 07-19-2019
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​​Looking for input from those of you who have recently issued an RFQ for Master Continuing Contracts for Consultants (CCNA).  How did you go about it, would you share a copy of your RFQ, any advice to share?
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Consortium and Joint Venture

By Aman Bhatti posted 12-18-2018
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How to evaluate firms when they participate as a joint venture or consortium in bid process? What is the main different between consortium and joint venture? Are both of the above terms (joint venture or consortium) are referred under legal dictionary; if yes, then source please?
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Reflections on Forum, 2018

By Rey Palma posted 08-27-2018
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Reflections on Forum 2018   I have been attending Forums for quite a while. I am not an every year attendee for various reasons usually associated with workloads and personnel support. Nonetheless, I try to attend as much as I am able and have never failed to come away from them without learning something of value. Even as I begin the sunset of my career, I find gems of wisdom and personal fulfillment in what I experience. It is amazing to see the evolution of the Forum itself from a mostly volunteer event to one having so many professional support elements to it.  Meeting and feeling the enthusiasm of so many young professionals is energizing. A large ...
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insites future technologies in long term projects

By Lawrence Waxman posted 08-16-2018
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​ The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is currently working to improve its acquisition of future technologies in long term projects, and is seeking insights into how other agencies approach this matter. For example, how do you ensure that at the end of a 15-year construction project the most modern technologies (which may not currently exist) were acquired and incorporated into the final product.  How does your agency ensure that up to date technology is incorporated in long term construction projects? Does your agency have any best practices to ensure the latest technology is included? Any contractual provisions implemented? Any specific ...
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Asset Management Proposal - Compliance to CCNA

By Gina Lanzilotta posted 07-19-2018
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​  Good Morning, I'm searching for Proposals in the State of Florida for Asset Management and the need of use of the CCNA  (FSS 287.055) in the evaluation process. If anyone can shed light on this, please let me know.  Thank you.
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Tools for the Profession

By Michael Thornton posted 06-20-2018
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Professional chefs place incredible value in having a quality set of knives that are their own.  It is a requirement. A mechanics life blood are their tools.  They rely on their tools for their livelihood, recognizing quality tools and the right tools are essential.  Having the right tool can save them significant time yielding more money in their pocket. I consider myself a professional Do-It-Yourselfer.  I haven’t found much I can’t do, or at least try.  I don’t like to pay others to do what I can do.  My son and I built his first car!  While I cannot afford all the tools I would like to have; I do know that when I do buy a tool I buy quality.  I have purchased ...
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RFP FOR SD-WAN

By Denise Whitten posted 06-06-2018
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​Good afternoon, Has anyone done a solicitation for SD-Wan solution, if so please share.
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RFP for Real Estate Appraisal Services

By Janette Velardi posted 05-21-2018
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I am looking for an RFP for Real Estate Appraisal Services. anyone want to share your document with me?
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Point to Ponder - 80/20 Rule

By Michael Thornton posted 03-22-2018
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I have been giving procurement systems some thought lately and have this observation. Most, I’ll say all, e-procurement systems focus on ‘bids’, more accurately formal bids, and ‘suppliers’. I believe it is safe to apply the Pareto principal to procurement transactions. 20% of the dollars are spent with 80% of the transactions. 80% of the dollars are spent with 20% of the transactions. 20% of the procurements are done through formal bid and 80% are done through small purchase methods such as POs, p-cards, and off contracts. There are many software companies that provide software that only address 20% of our procurement transactions.  It seems ...
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The Power of Testimonials

By Kristy Varda posted 03-09-2018
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​ “Investing time to learn something in your professional make you RICH in your KNOWLEDGE, if you are not then it will make you POOR in your PERFORMANCE.” ― Sivaprakash Sidhu In our profession we all know the strength of numbers, the strength of collaboration, and the strength of sharing knowledge, but did you ever consider the strength of testimonials? How many times are you asked, "So what is it you do"? Does your "boss" or leader really know what it is you do for your organization?  How about what you do for other organizations such as your local chapter or NIGP?   This is where the power of the Testimonial can come ...
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Certification - How has it helped you in your career?

By Catherine Patin posted 01-10-2018
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January is Cert Prep Month! Time to get serious and buckle down to prepare for the May exams. Our 2015 Research Report explores the  Value of Procurement Certification and we see some powerful takeaways -  71% of managers say certified individuals know what is required to perform their jobs better, 74% recognize certified individuals as experts and 85% say certification validates specialized knowledge. I'd love to start a dialog on the what you see as the value of certification. How has it impacted your career? Look forward to your thoughts. Cathie
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