August 2011  
Georgia Purchaser Masthead
In This Issue
Team Georgia Marketplace Update
Assistant Commissioner Message
Special Message From the Commissioner
Changes Within the State Purchasing Division
Professional Development News
Improved Communications Processes
Procurement Manual Update

 

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MESSAGE FROM THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER 

 
Assistant Commissioner Leslie Lowe
Greetings Purchasing Partners,

For several months, the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) has initiated tremendous changes in leadership and strategic direction as part of a comprehensive effort to better serve our customers. In fact, I am evidence of this change in that, as of June 1, 2011, I am State Purchasing's (SPD's) new assistant commissioner of procurement. In addition to sharing some details about my background, it is our overall goal of this issue to update you on important changes and future plans for this division.
 

I am a 26-year veteran of the State of Georgia and very proud to return to DOAS, an organization I served for more than six years in the 1990s as controller and director of Central Services. Before returning to DOAS, I was the chief financial officer for the Department of Early Care and Learning for 12 years and I also have more than five years experience as legislative liaison for the Department of Corrections under my belt. Offering a strong background in government procurement, financial management and legislative responsiveness, I am eager to bring about needed changes in the state's procurement practices.
 

Besides my appointment, I would like to congratulate all of the SPD staff who have been promoted to higher levels of leadership. Details about these and other changes in State Purchasing are featured below, along with Purchaser staples including Team Georgia MarketplaceTM and procurement training updates.
 

Thank you for your support and participation as, together, we forge a new chapter for DOAS and the State of Georgia. Please feel free to offer your comments and suggestions so that we may better serve you.
 

Leslie Lowe, CGFM
Assistant Commissioner - Procurement
Department of Administrative Services
[email protected]
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER 
Commissioner Sid Johnson
FY2012: Full Steam Ahead!

Typically, the month of July marks a period of change brought on by the new fiscal year. Meanwhile, ongoing economic challenges create their own form of traditions as agencies continue to wrangle with budgets, to maintan quality services with less resources.

 

Before we let change frustrate and paralyze us, let us all remember the great opportunities that often accompany challenges, forcing us to rethink, refine and renew. It is with this state of mind that I encourage you all to continue to work with us and to look to us as your trusted partner at the table.

  

Please join me in welcoming our new teammate, Assistant Commissioner Leslie Lowe. She is an asset to our team and we are truly excited to have her on board. Additionally, congratulations to all our recently promoted staff, as we anticipate increased success through their leadership.

 

And finally, I want to extend a thank you to all our many customers throughout the state, for your continued support and participation. Together, we can move past today's challeges for the betterment of Georgia. 

  
Sid Johnson
Commissioner 
Department of Administrative Services
[email protected]
FEATURED ARTICLE

Changes Within the State Purchasing Division
Revised Organizational Chart Thumb Nail Picture
To better serve you, the State Purchasing Division has initated various organizational changes that we would like to share with you. We invite you to take this opportunity to view our new organizational chart and learn details about the leadership team.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS

 

What to Expect in the New Fiscal Year    
State Purchasing Division's (SPD's) Professional Development staff wants to thank you all for your participation in our training classes and interest in our learning events.

This past fiscal year, we concentrated on addressing issues you identified in FY2010: "We need more training classes close to our location," "We want an extension on the deadline to achieve the Basic Certification," and "We want some of the certification exams not to be proctored."
 
  

Learn about the measures being taken to address each of these identified needs. 



State Certifications Still Going Strong
 
State Purchasing's Dr. Mirna Barker helped present the Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate (GCPA) to members of the Department of Corrections (GDC) at their recent award an update ceremony. 

Ceremonies such as this help to reinforce the importance of developing and retaining quality purchasing professionals throughout the state. C
ongratulations to all current and recently certified state purchasers for supporting excellence in public procurement throughout Georgia!    

 
DCOR Certification Ceremony 2011

Pictured left to right is Becky East (GDC Director of Administration), Pernell Crayton, Ute Shepherd, Verneicher Favors, Dr. Mirna Barker, and Charles Smith (GDC Director of Procurement).

 



A Leadership Change Within Professional Development
 
Dr. Mirna Barker, Chief Learning OfficerAfter more than four years of service to the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Dr. Mirna Barker is leaving to pursue other opportunities in the private sector.

During her tenure here, she was able to design a topnotch procurement training and certification program as part of an effort to transform the state's procurement processes and procedures. We thank her for her inspired leadership, exceptional work ethic and jovial personality and wish her well in her new endeavor.
Donna File
T
he Professional Development team is being left in the very capable hands of SPD's Donna File. Since 2006, she has done an outstanding job leading the Process Improvement unit and now she will be applying her astute leadership to the added responsiblity of supervising the statewide training and certification of Georgia's procurement professionals.

 
Learn more about Donna File. 

IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS PROCESSES

  

New, Two-Month Rolling Communication Format  

To improve communications related to statewide contracts (SWCs), State Purchasing (SPD) will be publishing a two-month rolling forecast of all planned contract activity. Beginning with this issue, such information will be included in the Purchaser and online for ongoing reference. This new communication format will help to reduce the number of emails received from SPD and allow you to plan ahead.
 

See the communication format in detail. 



Updating Entity Information with State Purchasing

From time to time, state entities have changes in staff or responsibilities that affect APO/CUPO information retained by State Purchasing (SPD). When SPD is not notified of such changes, it can impact the accuracy of content in the Georgia Procurement Registry and our master list of contacts for important communications.
 

So what is the proper process for updating such contact information to alleviate inaccuracies in information? For your convenience, we are providing answers to these common questions.    

PROCUREMENT MANUAL UPDATE
Cover of New GPM

SPD's Biannual Update of the Georgia Procurement Manual
The latest revised Georgia Procurement Manual (GPM-V2-July2011) can now be found online at www.doas.ga.gov. The new version has all the policy changes described in the recent Official Announcement SPD #01-12, dated July 18, 2011.

This new GPM version does not have the policy changes that will take effect on September 1, 2011. The text of the upcoming September policy change can be found in the SPD #01-12 Official Announcement Supplement located at http://doas.ga.gov/StateLocal/SPD/Policies/Pages/Home.aspx.
For further details, review Official Announcement #02-12