News & Views. 69th Annual NIGP Forum & Expo Philadelphia, PA. September Inside This Issue

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1 News & Views Published for Members of the 69th Annual NIGP Forum & Expo Philadelphia, PA September 2014 By Ginger Gordon, CPPB Public Relations Chair VAGP had a great showing at the 69th Annual NIGP Forum & Expo with 67 members in attendance. VAGP has many reasons to celebrate, as several of our members and the association itself were recognized. In addition to VAGP winning the Extra Large Chapter of the Year Award and Bill Davis receiving the NIGP Distinguished Service Award, several VAGP members were given special recognition for their recent achievements. SPECIAL RECOGNITION - NATIONAL FINALIST, MANAGER OF THE YEAR Kelly Okken, CPPB, VCCO, VCO - Albemarle County, VA Based on Kelly s notable achievements and contributions to the procurement profession, she was recognized by NIGP as one of three national finalists. Way to go Kelly, you represented VAGP well! VAGP wins Chapter of the Year for the fourth year in a row! The NIGP Distinguished Service Award was presented to Bill Davis from the City of Virginia Beach. SPECIAL RECOGNITION - CPPO RECIPIENTS Joseph R Cannon, CPPO, CPPB - HRSD Lorie W Newton, CPPO, CPPB - Chesterfield County Purchasing SPECIAL RECOGNITION - CPPB RECIPIENTS Kristy Varda, CPPB - Fairfax County Purchasing and Supply Management Thank you to all the VAGP members who were able to attend and represent our fantastic chapter! Make plans to join us next year at the 2015 NIGP Forum in Kansas City, MO. Look out Kansas City, Kansas City here VAGP comes! (See more pics on page 3.) Donnie Legg accepts the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement for Loudoun County Division of Procurement. Inside This Issue From the Desk of the President...2 NIGP Forum Photos...3 Marveling at the Value of VAGP...4 Pro D Update...5 Fall Professional Development Opportunities...5 New CPPBs...6 Member Spotlight: Kathy Elgin...7 Ready? Strategy? ACTION!...8 Multiple Generations: Challenges and Opportunities for the Workforce...9 Graduate Program at ODU...10 Just Who s Drivin this Train?...11 Legislative Committee Update...12 Coming to an Agency Near You...12 Upcoming Educational Offerings...14 Where in Virginia?...15

2 Page 2 - September 2014 Board of Directors Officers President Jan Giffin, CPPO, CPPB, VCO President-Elect Stephanie Suter, CPPO, CPPB Treasurer Christopher Cheney, CPPB Secretary Etta Henry, CPPB, VCCO, VCO First Past President Bill Lindsey, CPPO, C.P.M. Second Past President Kelly Okken, CPPB, VCO, VCCO First At Large Member Donnie Legg, CPPO Second At Large Member Roxanne Ehardt, CPPO, CPPB, VCO Committee Chairpersons Conference Lorie Newton, CPPO, CPPB Diversity Jerry E. Stokes, CPPB, C.P.M., VCO Education Cindy Davis Smith, CPPB Membership Sharita Bryant, CPPB, VCO, VCA Professional Development Greg Scearce, VCO Public Relations Ginger Gordon, CPPB Technology Jimmy MacKenzie, VCO Legislative Patti Innocenti, CPPB Executive Director Eric Hecker News & Views Editor LeeAnne Beatty Smith, CPPB, VCA Layout, Design & Advertising Kim Breeding-Mercer News & Views is published quarterly and was designed and created for the members of the Virginia Association of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (VAGP), by Organization Management Group, Inc. Views and advertising expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of, or endorsed by, VAGP. Send correspondence to 638 Independence Parkway, Suite 100, Chesapeake VA 23320; (757) ; info@vagp.org. Subscriptions are included in the annual dues paid by members. Advertising rates and policies may be obtained by calling (757) Copyright All rights reserved. From the Desk of the President By Jan Giffin, CPPO, CPPB, VCO It was great seeing so many fellow VAGP members at the 2014 NIGP Forum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in August (see photos throughout this issue). I enjoyed the many educational opportunities as well as chapter sessions and networking opportunities that were available. I am certainly proud to be recognized as a VAGP member among the national delegates in attendance. VAGP members should also be proud to know that we are recognized as a leader and innovator among other NIGP chapters. VAGP has much to celebrate with chapter, agency/entity, and individual recognition awards. This past year the Chapter Size categories were updated to include Extra-Large Chapters with 351 or more members. VAGP won the first ever Extra-Large Chapter of the Year Award. The NIGP Distinguished Service Award was presented to Bill Davis from the City of Virginia Beach. Join me in congratulating Bill Davis and the numerous agencies and entities recognized at the NIGP Forum: UPPCC AGENCY CERTIFICATION AWARDS County of Gloucester, VA Frederick County Public Schools, VA Virginia Beach City Public Schools, VA ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE (AEP) City of Richmond, Finance Department County of Roanoke Department of General Services Division of Purchases and Supply Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Procurement Services Loudoun County Division of Procurement Old Dominion University Department of Procurement Services Prince William County Public Schools Purchasing Office Virginia Beach City Public Schools OUTSTANDING AGENCY ACCREDITATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Montgomery County City of Petersburg County of Henrico As summer draws to an end and fall approaches, VAGP has several exciting events planned including the VAGP Fall Symposium in Richmond; presentation of our fall scholarships and awards; and election of our 2015 officers. Also look for information about the Reverse Trade Show presented by VAGP and CAPA in conjunction with Chesterfield Economic Development to be held in October. Please consider registering and participating as a public agency exhibitor! Your support is truly appreciated and is a key to the success of the event. We anticipate a diverse mix of suppliers, contractors, and consultants that look forward to meeting with you to learn more about your entity and your specific needs. Congratulations again to all the award recipients and VAGP members! This is another GREAT year for VAGP, and I am proud and honored to represent you as your President. As always, a thank you goes out to the Board Members, committee members, volunteers, the membership, and vendor partners for all you do to support our profession and this association. Your involvement and support is greatly appreciated!

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4 Marveling at the Value of VAGP Page 4 - September 2014 By Bill Lindsey, CPPO, C.P.M 1st Past President and NIGP Representative I have always found that writing an article for the third quarter publication of the News & Views is the most difficult because the submission date is usually a little before the National Forum and a little after the dreaded July 1 end-of-the-year frenzy. As it now stands, VAGP member Kelly Okken is among the top three candidates for consideration as NIGP s national manager of year and the VAGP chapter is in the top three for consideration as NIGP s Extra-Large Chapter of the Year. Of course, as we have done in previous years, the newsletter editor will likely hold the front page open for the announcement of these selections that will come at the end of August. So, by the time you read this article, the selections will be known. Even with this knowledge, I wanted to give you my thoughts on the value offered to you from VAGP. Yes, I also serve as your representative on the NIGP Board of Directors, but to me, the chapter is really where the rubber meets the road. Our Extra Large chapter, as we are now classified, is the distinct leader in the nation for educational offerings to our members. Although the Education Committee makes this look easy by simply clicking on the Education tab on our website, I can t begin to tell you what it takes to keep these classes going. Someone has to plan, schedule, advertise, register and keep records for each and every one of these classes. Better yet, if it is a low-fee seminar, you have to start by finding a sponsor who will host the classes and this is can be a formidable task. We champion national certification of our membership and continually strive to negotiate reasonable criteria for such achievement. VAGP s leadership clearly understands the revised criteria associated with establishing and maintaining certification for its members and is targeting all learning opportunities towards the national body of knowledge. We have the most active List Serve system that continually links our users with data sharing, source selection, and general procurement knowledge. We have a legislative team of procurement professionals that truly write the purchasing laws in Virginia. Presently, various VAGP members are assigned to two General Assembly work I have had representatives from other state chapters ask me why VAGP is so strong and how do we do it. groups examining the Virginia Public Procurement Act. I ve got to tell you that there is no other NIGP chapter in the country that has the influence or interaction on their state s procurement statutes that the VAGP does. But there is yet more; members can avail themselves of a Supplier Diversity Toolkit which resides on VAGP s Diversity Committee tab. This document offers guidance on setting up your own supplier diversity program within your agency in a simple and concise manner. No consultants, no software, just good ol common sense. On a number of occasions, I have had representatives from other state chapters ask me why VAGP is so strong and how do we do it. Every time I answer that our strength is directly related to professionalism and integrity of our membership. Also, I continue to marvel at the volunteerism that remains so prevalent within VAGP. With such a luxury, I must close by telling you that VAGP has a unique future as the strongest chapter of NIGP. Through hours and hours of planning, deliberations and consultations, NIGP is poised to turn the page on their leadership structure within the next year. Some would call it a gamble, some would call it a leap of faith, but I remain focused on the objective of this new governance model that seeks enhanced volunteerism from its members in leading the Institute. Therefore, I truly encourage, cajole and almost beg you to make yourselves known to NIGP with your willingness to serve and most importantly bring the VAGP message to them. NIGP brags about our organization and marvels at our successes; let s move forward with them in leading procurement together. I m always available for comments and questions. me at blindsey@gloucesterva.info.

5 Page 5 - September 2014 By Gregory Scearce, CPPB, VCO Professional Development Committee Chair Pro D Update During the past several months I have been very pleased with the class offerings that we have offered and the classes that we have worked to schedule. Since the beginning of the year, we have successfully held the following classes: Competitive Sealed Bidding vs Competitive Negotiation in Richmond VPPA in Fairfax Information Technology Procurement in Chesapeake Writing Specifications in Manassas on August 11 We currently have on the schedule: VPPA in Henrico on October 15 Insurance and Bonds in Herndon on October 2 I am currently working with Ron King, CPPO, CPPB, VCO (Master NIGP Instructor) on doing another class on Competitive Sealed Bidding and the committee is in the process of bringing back Ethics in Procurement, Time and Material Contracts and Public Purchasing Basics. Keep a watch for updated class schedules on the VAGP site! Disney trivia time! 1. Did you know that Walt Disney World serves over 275,000 pounds of popcorn each year? 2. The Tower of Terror was actually struck by lightning while being built. For those who don t know the attraction s story, the hotel was struck by lightning during a party and that is where the fun begins for the ride. For more on classes, please visit lowfee.html. The Professional Development Committee is always looking for sponsors, new instructors and new class ideas. The classes can be a 4 or 8 hour class and remember if you sponsor a class, you get a free seat! I would like to thank everyone for continuing to support the Professional Development Committee. Fall Professional Development Opportunities By Cindy Davis Smith, CPPB Education Committee Chair If you missed the application due dates for the fall CPPB or the CPPO exams, don t fret over this missed opportunity. There is always tomorrow! We often beat ourselves up over what we should have done or could have done, but the best way to rebound from a missed opportunity is to be better prepared for the next window of opportunity. The application due date for the spring exam is February 2, 2015 ( The CPPB and CPPO exams are offered twice a year and the review classes are also offered twice a year. and in the Fairfax area in the fall. This year s fall review class will be held in Falls Church on October 6-7 (CPPB) and October 8-9 (CPPO). In addition to the review classes, the Education Committee offers the foundation courses throughout the year and throughout the state. Take time to become familiar with all of the resources around you, such as the VAGP class schedule (online at or see page 14 of this newsletter), the NIGP s online classes ( and the resources available from UPPCC ( As you look towards the fall, plan now to attend a review class or at a minimum to complete your CPPB or CPPO application by December 31. Applications are accepted throughout the year. The Education Committee typically offers the review class in the spring in the Richmond area

6 Page 6 - September 2014 New CPPBs Congratulations to all the Newest Certified Public Procurement Officers (CPPO) & Certified Professional Public Buyers (CPPB). VAGP would like to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate each of the VAGP members who successfully completed the Spring of 2014 UPPCC certification examinations, which was administered in May of If you know any of these individuals, reach out to them and congratulate them on a job well done. This takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Certified Professional Public Buyers (CPPB) Name Agency City Jason J. Soltis, CPPB City of Alexandria Alexandria Roger Gupta, CPPB Virginia Tech Blacksburg Mary C. Seyler, CPPB Virginia Tech Blacksburg Vernice G. Grooms, CPPB, VCO, VCA City of Charlottesville Charlottesville Angelika M. Babb, CPPB Virginia DOT - Central Office Fairfax Jennifer A. Nixon, CPPB Virginia Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control Midlothian Michael E. Monahan, CPPB, VCO Tidewater Community College Norfolk Pamela Payne Simpkins, CPPB, VCO Radford University Radford Ebony K. Beaver, CPPB, VCA, VCO Virginia Dept. of General Services Richmond Jessica L. Milburn, CPPB, VCO, VCA, VCCO Virginia Dept. of Aviation Richmond Mark A. Moss, CPPB Virginia Housing Development Authority Richmond Stephanie M. Smith, CPPB City of Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Erika Bukva, CPPB Prince William County Woodbridge The next examination is scheduled for October 20 November 1, Also, the spring examinations will be held May 4-16, 2015 with the application deadline for Spring testing being February 2, 2015 (late deadline is February 17, 2015). For more information about professional certification, visit the UPPCC website at CPPB Program The CPPB level applies to individuals who have demonstrated prescribed levels of professional competency as a buyer in public and governmental purchasing. CPPO Program The CPPO level applies to individuals holding supervisory and/or managerial positions within a public agency. These individuals may or may not be performing the purchasing for the governmental entity, but do either supervise a staff of buyers, the purchasing department, the agency, etc. or manage a minimum of one essential function of the procurement cycle (i.e. contracting). Additional Information For complete information on obtaining your CPPB or CPPO certification, visit the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) website at

7 Page 7 - September 2014 Member Spotlight - Kathy Elgin, CPPO, CPPB By Amy Upson, CPPO, CPPB, VCO PR Committee Member This quarter we feature one of VAGP s most active members, and the most recent recipient of VAGP s Distinguished Service Award, Kathy S. Elgin, CPPO, CPPB, Chief Procurement Officer and Risk Management Coordinator of the Town of Leesburg. Kathy s career started at Loudon Water in 1989 as a utility billing clerk, where she worked her way through the Accounting Office, and then became their first Procurement Officer. In 19, she moved to the Town of Leesburg, and also became their first Procurement Officer. While she was building her career, she decided to join VAGP in Kathy has served on numerous VAGP committees (Finance, Sales, Conference Advisory, VAGP Foundation, and Legislative), as well as NIGP Committees (Finance and Budget, Governance, and Policy and Position). Kathy has served as a Mentor and as the 2001 VAGP Chapter President, and for those of you who may be new to VAGP, this represents not just a one -year commitment, but it represents a six-year commitment to serve on VAGP s board as an officer. Those six years are also in addition to the years that Kathy has served on the VAGP board as a committee chairperson. Kathy s commitment to the procurement profession did not end with VAGP; she has also served on NIGP committees, as a moderator during 2001 NIGP Forum, and was VAGP s NIGP representative from June 2007 to July Kathy was honored during the 2014 VAGP Spring Conference with the Distinguished Service Award; she also earned VAGP s Purchasing Manager of the Year in 2002 and in that same year earned NIGP Professional Purchasing Manager of the Year Runner Up Award. Kathy is not resting on these achievements though, she continues to serve VAGP on the Legislative Committee. As Kathy says, The Legislative Committee ROCKS! We are helping to transform procurement for the future excited and proud to be an active member. In addition to Kathy s full career, she also has a very busy life away from her office and her VAGP and NIGP activities. She has been married to her husband Charlie for 26 years, and together they have a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren. Kathy loves spending time with family and friends, and she also finds time to volunteer for the Blue Ridge Eagles Ladies Auxiliary. Kathy also enjoys sports (Go REDSKINS!), fishing, and her newest hobby, boating. Kathy feels that her commitment to volunteer organizations that she believed in has made her the person that she is today. Kathy shared a quote with me from Winston Churchill that summarizes her beliefs, and I think anyone who knows Kathy will feel that this describes Kathy too: We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Register now at VAGP.org Attend the Fall Symposium: What are your Goals? Behind Every Agency is a great Procurement Team on September at the Hilton Garden Inn in Richmond, VA. Join VAGP, CAPA and Chesterfield Economic Development for another exciting Reverse Trade Show this year on October 15 at the John Tyler Community College on Jefferson Davis Highway, in Chester VA.

8 Ready? Strategy? ACTION! By Stephanie Suter, CPPO, CPPB President-Elect Page 8 - September 2014 The VAGP Strategic Plan has been finalized. The 2015 Action Plan is also ready to go, and the 2015 Budget will be presented to the membership for approval during the Fall Symposium Business Meeting. Once the money is appropriated, VAGP will need people (like YOU) to make it all happen in 2015! There are so many exciting opportunities to volunteer and contribute to VAGP and the procurement profession; there is no better time to serve VAGP. Options include serving on a Committee, working on a special project team, hosting low-fee seminars, helping strengthen relationships with our strategic partners, and many more. It is an exciting time to be involved! In order to find the best fit to suit your interests, we have created a Volunteer Form. Nothing like another form, but this one is quick, easy, and will ensure the volunteer assignment we find for you will be a good fit and a fulfilling opportunity. Please take a minute to fill it out today and I will be in touch with some fabulous options so you will be ready to get started January 1. Looking forward to hearing from everyone! Volunteering Your Leadership and Service to the Profession Contributing to the Success of VAGP Thank you for your interest in volunteering your expertise and talents to VAGP as we work together to develop, support, and promote the Public Procurement Profession! With the changes to re-certification points for UPPCC and VIP certifications, this is the perfect time to get involved and contribute to your professional association. There are several ways to volunteer your time, expertise and talents to the mission and success of VAGP. Some commitments extend over multiple years, while others are brief, short-term projects. Some committees require travel to a meeting or event while other committees and project teams allow you to participate via teleconferencing. This form can be completed at any time. Those responsible for appointing VAGP s volunteers to its committees and project teams will use your information to match you with the greatest opportunity for service consistent with your needs and interests. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stephanie Suter, CPPO, CPPB, VAGP s President-Elect, at stephanie. suter@lynchburgva.gov or All completed interest forms may be submitted to her via or by mail to the following address: Stephanie Suter, Procurement Office, 900 Church Street, Lynchburg, VA, GENERAL INFORMATION 4. COMMUNITY AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP Please document your contributions and achievements in civic or charitable organizations and local community involvement. Indicate positions held, activities performed, honors and awards and dates: Contribution/Achievement Organization Dates 5. INTERESTS IN VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE THE PROFESSION My Expertise - I would like to contribute my talents and experience to the following areas (check all that apply): Profession Community Advocacy for the Procurement Communications: Oral Communications: Written Conference Planning Course Development Course Instruction Governance on the Board Leadership Programs Legislative/Advocacy Activities Liaison with the Academic Name: Title: Community Agency: Division: Address: I am also interested in: My Commitment City: State/Province: Zip/Postal Code: Office Telephone: 2. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION (List all that currently apply): 3. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROCUREMENT PROFESSION Select the situation that best describes your willingness to make a commitment to VAGP. I can commit to a minimum one-year period of service on a committee. I can commit to a short-term project through an Ad-Hoc Committee, task force, focus group, or project team. My Participation Membership - List all current memberships you hold in procurement professional associations: Leadership - Identify any volunteer leadership roles or contributions you provided to professional procurement associations: Activity Association Dates Select the situation that best describes your ability to participate in at least one face-to-face meeting each year. Please be aware that VAGP does not reimburse volunteers for any costs associated with travel to and from meetings including meals, transportation, and lodging. These costs are either borne by the public agency/company or by the individual. I can travel to one face-to-face meeting each year without restriction. I may be able to travel to one face-to-face meeting each year depending on several variables (time of year, budget availability, etc.). I cannot travel to any face-to-face meetings but can participate in teleconferences. 6. SIGNATURE page 1 of 2 Liaison with the Business Market Research Marketing Strategies Member Recruitment Mentoring Policy Development for the Association Position Papers Professional Development Seminar Host Recognition Programs Social Media Strategic Planning Student Member Outreach Subject Matter Expert Supplier Diversity Technology Applications Vendor Trade Shows Volunteer Coordination Website Design and Content Signature of Volunteer (may be electronic): Date: page 2 of 2 Find this form at

9 Page 9 - September 2014 Multiple Generations: Challenges and Opportunities for the Workforce By Amy Upson, CPPO, CPPB, VCO PR Committee Member One of the biggest challenges that I see affecting not only the procurement profession, but several other professions, is twofold: first, a workforce composed of multiple generations and second, all the baby boomers who are steadily leaving the workforce. Baby boomers have either already retired (and taken their knowledge with them), or are getting ready to retire in the next few years, and many typical offices now have staff members who are not just baby boomers but also Generations X, Y, and Z. With that diverse working environment comes both benefits and challenges. Our purchasing colleagues who have been in the profession for more than 25 years used the first facsimile machines, Thomas Registers, and typewriters. And facsimile machines were not the plain paper machines or multifunction copiers of today that include a facsimile function; this was a machine that used thermal paper. If you took your facsimile message printed on this thermal paper and the paper was exposed to either sunlight or heat, guess what happened to your information it disappeared, and it could not be restored. For those who are not familiar with Thomas Register, it was basically a printed set of encyclopedias for a purchasing office. And typewriters! Imagine, as you sit now with fingers flying over a computer keyboard, composing text in a program that corrects mistakes so effortlessly, what it would be like to make corrections on a multi-part form typed in a typewriter. Yes, white out used to be made in other colors to match the colors of a multi-part form. Fortunately, multifunction copiers (that use plain bond paper), the Internet, and computers have replaced these office fixtures, along with many other upgrades like process improvements. These process improvements are the result of technological advancements in equipment, but also the wisdom, planning, and foresight of procurement professionals from all generations. Everyone can learn something from their colleagues, no matter their age. The work force currently employs baby boomers who were born prior to 1966, Generation Xer s who were born 1966 to 1976, Generation Y or the Millenniums who were born 1977 to 14, and Generation Z, born 15 to 2012, so the oldest members of Generation Z are just entering the workforce. Each generation carries with it their own strengths and weaknesses, and the result is a very diverse working environment. The nature of this environment is demonstrated by how each generation views basic elements like communication skills, work ethic, and adjustments in a changing world. This diverse nature can lead to challenges. For example, in regards to communication, younger generations may feel more confortable with or text, while baby boomers prefer to talk. is great for a lot of things (like leaving a paper trail for later reference), but sometimes there is just no substitute for picking up the telephone or even meeting in person, to provide a better explanation or convey tone (to avoid misunderstandings). With many challenges come opportunities. When we can all learn and improve from either our past or present, we all benefit. In order to keep learning and improving as both a profession and in our own working environment, awareness and respect are paramount. Be aware that in an office with employees from multiple generations, you will have different attitudes about communication, change, and other factors. At the same time, be respectful and know that everyone can learn something from their colleagues, no matter their age. By focusing on the strengths that each employee can bring to the office rather than focusing on the weaknesses, everyone can benefit from the generational diversity of the office.

10 By Stephen B. Gordon, PhD, FNIGP, CPPO Professor of Practice Program Director, Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement and Contract Management Old Dominion University Many newer members of NIGP may not recognize the name Lew Spangler. If you are one of those people, Lew or Uncle Lew, as many of us called him affectionately was the Executive Vice President of NIGP who took the Institute from the point of near-death in the mid- 1970s to a position of strength and prestige by the time he retired in the late 1980s. This giant of a human being laid the foundation for today s world-class association. Working with legends with last names like Sandridge, Baird, Newby, and Walsh, Lew also played a major role in helping VAGP attain its status as the best chapter in NIGP. It was this author s privilege to work for and be mentored by Mr. Spangler from 1976 to Lew Spangler was a big believer in education and professional development. Were he still with us, Lew would be delighted to know that there are now two universities in the United States that offer graduate programs in public procurement and contract management. He would be especially pleased that one of those two programs is located in his adopted state, the Commonwealth of Virginia. The program based in Virginia is the Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement and Contract Management (GCPPCM) program, for which courses are offered online through Old Dominion University (ODU). The GCPPCM program is a fifteen-credit course of graduate study, which can be pursued, if one so chooses, without enrolling in a master s degree program at ODU. The graduate certificate also can be pursued as part of a master s degree at ODU or another college or university. Typically, graduate students at a college or university can import two graduate courses from another college or university. The only prerequisite for entry into the GCPPCM program is a bachelor s degree. That s it! If you don t have a bachelor s degree, you can take ODU s undergraduate course in governmental procurement. Students who have taken public procurement and contract management classes through ODU have included, of course, many public procurement professionals. They have also included public officials in a variety of other functional areas in governments, including finance, accounting, public works, Page 10 - September 2014 Graduate Program at ODU You don t have to dress up to go to class. You don t have to go to class at all. parks and recreation, fire, and police. The students who were not working in public procurement when they took the ODU classes have commented consistently that they never realized how complex and challenging public procurement is. Their eyes were opened by what they learned in the ODU classes. If you are interested in building on what you have learned through experience and training, I urge you to think seriously about taking at least one class in the Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement and Contract Management program at ODU. I also urge you to encourage your colleagues in client departments and agencies to take at least the Introduction to Public Procurement class PPCM 726. If you want to know more about the Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement and Contract Management program and the classes in it, please go to ODU Distance Learning s website at public-procurement-contract-management. You also can send an message to me at sbgordon@odu.edu or call me on my cell phone at (615) I have an office phone, but your chances of catching me are a lot better if you call me on my cell phone. Don t be afraid of taking an online class. It s really simple the way ODU does it. You have enormous flexibility as to when you do your classwork, and you don t have to dress up to go to class. You don t have to go to class at all. ODU s Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement and Contract Management is the first college or university in the United States and the second college or university in the world to earn accreditation by the Global Standards Board of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM). And, the program is located right here in Virginia!

11 Page 11 - September 2014 Just Who s Drivin This Train? By Jeff Moyer, CPPB PR Committee Member The late comedienne Minnie Pearl once told a tale of being on a train with her old maid sister when a man boarded the train and announced a robbery, saying he was going to rob all the men and kiss all the women, at which point the sister jumped up and shouted out, Oh no, you can t do that! Minnie, never one to miss an opportunity for male contact, pulled her back into her seat and said, Sit down, sister! Just who s robbin this train anyway? A similar question can be asked of our relationship with our vendors just who s really driving this train? Our jurisdiction was approached by one of our larger vendors, with whom we are well acquainted, with a new product intended to supersede the older one used for many years. While we do have some concerns about the product itself, perhaps a larger part of our reluctance to take on the new product was the delivery or approach of the vendor in presenting the concept to us, a la Marlon Brando in The Godfather. He seemed to be making us an offer we couldn t refuse and we d take it and be happy about it. Recently, another vendor whom we do not know approached us with a product and virtually demanded that we pull field crews in for him to demonstrate his product to them, his contention being that that was the only way we would understand its use and capabilities. In all likelihood, these are probably products that could be beneficial to our operation, but we may never find out. Could the vendors have done a better job of presentation? Certainly. Could our reaction have been better? Certainly. The common thread appears to be good communication and a certain level of understanding between us as the buyer or customer and the vendor community. Having said that, we also must remember our purpose. Our esteemed colleague Kevin Beardsley once noted that we exist to serve our jurisdiction and the citizens thereof, not the many vendors who clamor for our attention and our dollars. Among the things to consider: How do we make the best use of our assets of time and money? Is this product or service something that we are currently in need of, can it be dealt with a bit later, or do we need it at all? What value does it Set a rule that all sales calls are taken by appointment only, stick to that mantra, and keep those appointments. offer, if any, and is there a more reasonably priced substitute that would be equally functional? What would be the actual cost in working hours lost if we were to call in a field crew to see something that we may not really need after all? Is there another way to get the information out? What happens if we install that as yet untried item into our system and it proves unsatisfactory? Though they tend to try our patience, we obviously do need to maintain a workable network of vendors and cultivate that network by communicating our expectations and our limitations and remaining open to new or different opportunities, while at the same time making sure that the vendor community understands what we do, how we do it, and why, that we provide value through the service that we provide to our jurisdiction, and that we indeed do need each other. At the same time, we also have to remember that the vendor has his or her own set of responsibilities and should be understanding of that. So, how do we accomplish this? Set a rule that all sales calls are taken by appointment only, stick to that mantra, and keep those appointments. Invite the provider to come by to discuss what he has to offer, but do not give him any unrealistic expectations. Explain to them how your product acceptance and resultant purchasing process works and whether or not you can meet his or her requests. Take the time to ask the hard questions so as to understand the vendor s intent. We can be polite and professional and still obtain the feedback that we need in order to proceed, if necessary. There will still be those times when that aggressive telemarketer calls you back for the third time in as many days with the same sales pitch, and sometimes it does pay to listen for a moment, but that does not always indicate a commitment on our part, nor should it encourage them to continue calling if you ve explained your position to them. After all, we re driving the train and we still accept passengers, but we also have to consider who wants to get aboard and at what cost.

12 Page 12 - September 2014 Legislative Committee Update By Patti Innocenti, CPPB Legislative Committee Chair The Special Joint General Laws Subcommittee work groups studying the Virginia Public Procurement Act have met three times. As reported previously, the study is divided into two parts: 1) Construction and Design Professional Services and 2) IT, Goods, Other Professional Services and Nonprofessional Services. An update from each work group follows: Group 1 Term contract provisions: Improve readability by moving text. Cooperative procurement: Establish restrictions on the use of cooperative contracts for capital construction. Job order construction: Establish limits on the use of job order construction contracts to include annual and task order thresholds. Group 2 Equal footing for competitive negotiations and competitive sealed bidding: Eliminate the requirement to make a determination to use competitive negotiations. Publication notice, competitive negotiation: Over a two year period, phase out requirement to publish RFP notices. Public bodies are encouraged to use eva as a means to publish notices and DGS will provide a datafile summarizing the opportunities to the newspapers. If a public body does not use eva, then they will have to provide their own datafile. Oversight and enforcement: Review of current legal and administrative actions available. Work group meetings continue through October. All consensus recommendations from the work groups will go forward to the General Laws committees and are expected to be sponsored as bills in the 2015 General Assembly session. The Legislative Committee will keep you informed of the study group progress. As always, feel free to reach out to any member of the Legislative Committee if you have questions, whose names and contact information can all be found at Coming to an Agency Near You By Donnie Legg, CPPO First-At-Large Member Coming soon, a new VAGP Low-Fee Seminar: Developing a Basic Understanding of Construction & How to Reduce Construction Costs for Your Municipality. One of my tasks this year as the VAGP First At-Large Member was to develop a construction training seminar for Professional Development. I was honored to take on this task/challenge. In order to develop the best curriculum to provide to VAGP members, I sat down with my construction and legal staff at Loudoun County. I completed the outline and presented a draft to the Board for their review in July. Once the Board has had an opportunity to review and approve the class curriculum this class will be ready to be offered. I know that the goal for the Professional Development Committee is to have this ready by the Fall 2014 or early So if this is a seminar you will be interested in taking or hosting keep your eyes and ears open. When it does become available, please reach out to the Professional Development Chairperson, Greg Scearce at Gregory.Scearce@Vita.Virginia.gov. Also, my second task for this year is to assist the 2nd Past Present with the VAGP Foundation. I have been in contact with Kelly Okken and at this time this is ongoing. If you have any thoughts or would like to discuss any of the task I have been assigned you may contact me at Donnie. Legg@loudoun.gov.

13 Page 13 - September 2014 TCPN saves municipalities time and money. Overseeing services and infrastructure requires a lot of effort and planning. The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) helps simplify your steps and reduce your costs. TCPN s contracts leverage the purchasing power of over 37,000 actively engaged government entities. All contracts are competitively bid and awarded by a single entity Region 4 Education Service Center. TCPN monitors contracts through third-party audits and regular reviews to ensure vendor accountability. You can rely on TCPN s lead agency s ISO certified processes, 100+ combined years of government purchasing experience and 50+ combined years of auditing experience we know what it takes to keep a community running. Keep your service responses on time and on budget. Go to and sign up today.

14 NIGP Seminars Upcoming 2014 Educational Offerings Page 14 - September 2014 NIGP seminars are taught by NIGP approved instructors and can assist those aspiring to achieve their CPPB and/or CPPO certifications. These are the standard training courses for entry-level to experienced purchasing professionals. Please visit for a list of all 2014 courses offered. Seminar TITLE dates LOCATION Ethics: A Survival Kit for Public Procurement Sep. 15 Christiansburg Strategic Procurement Planning Sep Arlington Performance Based Request for Proposals Sep Richmond CPPB PREP Oct. 6-7 Falls Church CPPO PREP Oct.8-9 Falls Church Effective Contract Writing Oct Arlington Developing and Managing RFPs Nov. 5-7 Manassas Contracting for Construction Services Nov Henrico Get What You Need Through Successful Negotiations Strategies Dec. 4-5 Chesterfield World Class Procurement Practices Dec. 8-9 Arlington LOW FEE Seminars Low-fee seminars are designed to offer VAGP members continuing education through courses designed to meet their particular needs. These courses are taught by instructors familiar with both the subject and Virginia Procurement Law. These courses can provide CPPO, CPPB and VCO recertification points (earn one point for a full day eight hours of instruction time). Seminar TITLE dates LOCATION Insurance & Bond Oct. 2 Herndon Virginia Public Procurement Act Oct. 16 Henrico Competitive Sealed Bidding vs. Competitive Negotiation Oct. 29 Williamsburg Understanding the PPI/CPI Dec. 4 Loudoun

15 Where in Virginia? By LeeAnne Beatty Smith, CPPB, VCA Public Relations Committee Member make a guess... Page 15 - September 2014 Can you name this amazing FARM? As late summer turns to fall many of you will begin thinking of ways to enjoy the various autumn events that the great state of Virginia has to offer! This issue s Where in Virginia? is a farm that claims to have the largest corn maze in the state! The familyowned farm sits on 110 acres of which the corn maze takes up 25 acres. The maze is comprised of 4 different trails to accommodate different skill levels and timelines. Each year the owners change the maze theme and unveil the surprise design at the Corn Maze opening day. Located in central Virginia just 30 minutes from Charlottesville, Culpepper, and Zion s Crossroads, this farm also offers pick-your-own pumpkins and flowers, hayrides, field trips, a strawberry patch, and an on-site farmer s market. The 2014 corn maze opens on Saturday, September 13! win a prize! This fall be sure to take in this attraction or one of the other many fall events or festivals that Virginia has to offer! Think you know Virginia? Visit us on Facebook and be the first person to tell us the name and location of this farm! The first person to correctly comment on VAGP s Facebook page underneath this article s thumbnail wins a VAGP goody! Send a suggestion and picture of another Virginia landmark to feature in the News & Views to LeeAnne Beatty Smith at smith2lb@jmu.edu. We want your news and views! This is your Association and your publication make your voice heard! All VAGP members are encouraged to send articles, press releases and photos. Published articles on purchasing related topics may help members earn recertification points. For eligibility requirements, please verify directly with the certifying agency. Suppliers and contractors are also encouraged to submit purchasing-related articles for publication. Limited opportunities are available and offered at no cost! Industry News Best Practices Photos Book Reviews Education Opportunities Event Recaps New Certifications Tips and tricks Submit your contributions to LeeAnne Beatty Smith at smith2lb@jmu.edu. Production Schedule 4th Quarter Deadline Nov. 5 Available Dec. 1