Date: January 14, 1998
Contact: Irene Cromer
703/791-8720
 

The Prince William County Public School Division is one of only eight organizations nationwide to be selected as a winner in the National Purchasing Institute's (NPI) "Excellence in Procurement Award" competition for 1997. The National Purchasing Institute Board of Directors instituted this award in 1995 to recognize organizational excellence in government procurement. Prince William County Public Schools is the only jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia to earn this honor. The county schools purchasing department is headed by Susan Fitzgerald, CPPO, C.P.M., M.P.A.

NPI represents purchasing officials employed by national, state and local governments, educational institutions, and tax-supported and public entities throughout the country. It is one of the 179 associations in the United States affiliated with the National Association of Purchasing Management, a 40,000 member educational and research organization dedicated to providing national and international leadership in purchasing and materials management.

In addition to the school division, the 1997 award was earned by the following jurisdictions: Denton County; Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Orange County, Florida; City of Plano; City of Tucson; Washoe County; and Washoe County School District.

The award is given each year to those member organizations that demonstrate excellence through standardized criteria. The criteria is designed to measure innovation, professionalism,

productivity and leadership attributes of the procurement organization and includes publication

of a purchasing manual, vendor's guide and "ethics" policy, as well as centralized procurement authority; maintenance of a "continuous improvement" program and the implementation of international procurement automation; utilization of electronic commerce with home page link to purchasing activities, posting and distribution of solicitations and contracts; and development of term (annual requirements) contracts for at least 25 percent of total commodity and services purchases. Also required is that at least 25 percent of professional staff have earned professional certification designation and recent positions have been held by staff in a national purchasing association.

Individuals in addition to Fitzgerald who were instrumental in attaining the professional standards of excellence required for the NPI award include Frances Peacher, CPPB, senior buyer; Laurie Baber, CPPB, buyer specialist; and Sherry Jones, secretary.

Standing - Sherry Jones, Karen Sobers, Cathy Draggoo, Toni Vaughan, Frances Peacher, Laurie Baber, Joan Brown
Sitting - Ralph Rossi, Susan Fitzgerald