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MESSAGE FROM ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER |
Greetings Purchasing Partners,
 As we round the track towards the finish line of Fiscal Year 2009, it is encouraging to witness what we as procurement professionals have accomplished thus far. I sincerely appreciate all your efforts and contributions as we continue the transformation process.
Our new DOAS Web site was launched on March 30, 2009. Your valued feedback and participation were used in producing a site that provides you needed information in a faster, friendlier and easier manner. I hope that you will take the opportunity to view the new features and let us know what you think in our Web site Redesign Customer Satisfaction Survey.
We continue to experience tremendous success with the implementation of Team Georgia Marketplace. With three agencies successfully on board and others soon to follow, we are well on our way to improved, cutting-edge procurement across the state.
Most significantly, we ask you to read an important article entitled "Severe Budget Crunch Forces Significant Changes to State Procurement Transformation Plans." This explains actions being taken that will improve State Purchasing's ability to perform--and your increase in responsibilities and accountabilities.
Also in this issue, we are featuring updates on Team Georgia Marketplace and new statewide contracts. Be sure to review our Procurement Quick Tips section for information on how to effectively manage procurement spending by NIGP Code and track cardholder activity with supplier spend analysis, among other useful tips.
Please continue to offer suggestions or comments so that we may better serve you.
Best Regards,
Tim Gibney, C.P.M, CPPO
Assistant Commissioner - Procurement
Department of Administrative Services
purchasing@doas.ga.gov |
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DOAS POLICY CHANGES |
Severe Budget Crunch Forces Significant Changes to State Procurement Transformation Plans
Governor Perdue launched the Procurement Transformation Initiative in 2005 and with it, the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) - State Purchasing Division crafted an ambitious 5-year plan to be self-funded by 2011. In support of this plan, the Governor recommended our business unit receive $3.3 million in state funding in FY 2010--recommendations that have gone unfulfilled due to current economic conditions and the FY 2010 budget passed in the recently ended Legislative Session. More than two-thirds of the State Purchasing Division's (SPD) budget has recently been cut, leaving a $2.2 million shortfall that will directly impact Procurement Transformation efforts. As a result, DOAS will require greater responsibility and partnership from agency purchasers to ensure that we continue to have high-quality procurement for the State... More>> |
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DOAS WEB REDESIGN UPDATE |
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 New DOAS Web site Delivers At the close of March, the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) released their newly redesigned Web site. DOAS is still compiling results, but early customer feedback has been overly positive. Customers seem satisfied with the new look and organization, with one customer who says the site has "Greatly improved!" and another that claims "[The site is] Much more intuitive." Overall, DOAS is confident that the new look, revamped content, and enhanced navigational tools will provide improved customer access and increased utilization of DOAS services and programs...More>> |
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FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING |
Purchasing for Federal Stimulus Funds
The approval of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is providing certain agencies and institutions within Georgia State government with an infusion of money to assist in stimulating the economy and supporting our infrastructure and programmatic needs. As purchasing professionals, it is incumbent on us to facilitate and expedite the competitive bidding & contracting process in a fully transparent and effective manner. It is essential that all Georgia purchasing code and administrative rules (Georgia Procurement Manual) are followed. Our
Web pages will provide you with the necessary RFx templates and forms.
Please also review a presentation that covers relevant guidance.
The State Purchasing Division is prepared to provide you assistance in accomplishing the procurement activity. Contact me directly at tim.gibney@doas.ga.gov or at 404-656-0934. |
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STRATEGIC SOURCING UPDATE |
Using Strategic Sourcing to Lower State Costs:
The DOAS Spend Management Project
Governor Perdue launched the Procurement Transformation Services Initiative in 2005 to implement several of the recommendations from the Commission for a New Georgia. Through this venture, Governor Perdue is working to significantly lower the state's operating costs by analyzing our spending and buying habits, renegotiating existing contracts and utilizing innovative procurement methods... More>> |
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS |
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New Online Training Courses Available
Professional Development is pleased to announce the availability of Introduction to P-Card Principles as an online training course. This self-paced course is accessible from any location and available at any time by accessing the State Purchasing Division's Learning Management System (LMS). Review the course description. Additionally, two of the existing courses, Writing Basic Specifications and How to Conduct a Self Audit (Compliance), have been updated with supplemental information including hands-on exercises. Review the Writing Basic Specifications and How to Conduct a Self Audit (Compliance) course descriptions at your convenience. The training courses are now being offered in Atlanta and throughout the State. Check our training schedule to see when and where the courses are available near you! |
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TEAM GEORGIA MARKETPLACE UPDATE |
 Team Georgia Marketplace Summit Meeting
The eProcurement transformation is gaining momentum. Representatives from 25 agencies met on March 18 for the Team Georgia Marketplace Summit. They came together to learn about Team Georgia Marketplace and its successful roll-out to pilot agencies on January 20, 2009. The agencies included in the pilot phase were the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), and portions of the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)...More>>
 Supplier Seminars A Success
The Supplier Seminars have greatly contributed to the successful registration of nearly 10,000 suppliers in Team Georgia Marketplace. At the seminars, suppliers receive live system demonstrations on registration, managing their company's profile, managing sourcing events and much more. As a convenience to our customers, each seminar features on-site registration. Attendees are able to engage in face-to-face dialogs and get direct answers to their questions. Many suppliers have expressed satisfaction with the supplier seminars. Carlton Roberts, vice president of business development ERP practice at enGenius Consulting Group, Inc, said "As a native Georgian, I've never seen taxpayers' money better spent than what DOAS is doing with Team Georgia Marketplace." In light of the positive customer feedback and other successes of this statewide outreach, the Department of Administrative Services - State Purchasing Division will continue the Supplier Seminars, at least through the end of this fiscal year.
DOAS State Purchasing Participates in Expo The Georgia Governmental Purchasing Conference and Exposition was held on March 24 - 25 at the Georgia International Convention Center. DOAS State Purchasing actively participated by providing training and updates on transformation initiatives.
The atmosphere provided a wonderful opportunity to interact with local and state procurement professions from Georgia and suppliers from around various regions of the nation. During the Supplier Expo session, our training team provided registration assistance and additional information about Team Georgia Marketplace to a large number of unregistered suppliers. |
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NEW STATEWIDE CONTRACTS |
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State of Georgia Announces New Statewide Ammunition Contract
The Georgia Department of Administrative Services, State Purchasing Division, has established a new statewide ammunition contract with Gulf State Distributors, Inc. and Craig's Firearm, Supply, Inc. The purpose of this contract is to purchase ammunition at competitive pricing with reduced delivery time... More>>
State of Georgia Announces New Statewide Background Investigative Reports Contract
The Georgia Department of Administrative Services, State Purchasing Division, has established a new statewide contract for background investigative reports with Database Systems International, Inc. The purpose of this contract is to facilitate access to background investigative reporting for all local and state governmental entities... More>>
Michelin North America, Inc. Launches Promotional Campaign:
Governmental Entities Reap Benefits The Georgia Department of Administrative Services - State Purchasing Division, is pleased to announce that Michelin North America, Inc. has launched a promotional campaign to reduced prices on the Statewide Contract for Tires and Tubes, Pneumatic and Solid, SWC# 90782. The promotion began 04/01/2009, and will be effective through 06/30/2009... More>>
For detailed information on these and other statewide contracts currently available, access the Statewide Contract Index available on the DOAS Web site. |
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USEFUL TIPS |
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Procurement Quick Tips Process improvements are occurring across state government procurement, but the State Purchasing Process Improvement Team is finding reoccurring problems as they conduct Compliance and P-Card Audits in agencies, colleges, and universities. The Quick Tips offered in this issue focus on some of the most commonly noted errors... More>>
The State of Georgia's Purchase Card Program:
The Ideal Way to Streamline Procurement Processes and Save Money
Created to simplify day-to-day purchases, the Purchasing Card (P-Card) has also been a tremendous cost-effectiveness tool since its inception. The P-Card is honored by all merchants who accept VISA, and there are no annual, transaction, or reporting fees. In addition to streamlining agency payment and purchasing procedures, the P-Card reduces the administrative burden traditionally associated with small dollar value purchases and allows for quicker receipt of goods... More>> | |
