Government Procurement articles from April 2007

Government Procurement archives from April 2007

Procurement professional A.K.A. superman.(FRISCH FINDINGS)
April 1, 2007... An Open Letter to the Editor From the staff of the City of Tucson, AZ, Procurement Department. On May 31st, 2007, Wayne A. Casper will retire from the City of Tucson after 35 years of service to the Tucson community and the State of...

GSA awards Networx Universal contracts.(NEWS)
April 1, 2007... The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded its highly anticipated Networx Universal contracts to: AT & T Corp., MCI Communications Services, Inc. (as Verizon Business Services), and Qwest Government Services, Inc. Networx...

Federal IT spending to reach $102 billion by 2012.(NEWS)
April 1, 2007... Information technology (IT) spending by the U.S. federal government will grow 5 percent annually, from $79 billion in 2007 to $102 billion by 2012, according to initial findings from the five-year Federal IT Market Forecast released by INPUT, a...

Fully certified? Stand up and be recognized!(Fully Certified Agency Award program)(Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Through its Fully Certified Agency Award program, the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) identifies organizations that have earned the honor of achieving and/or maintaining a UPPCC fully certified public procurement...

Accountability in contracting Act breezes through Congress.(NEWS)
April 1, 2007... In March 2007, the House passed the Accountability in Contracting Act (H.R. 1362) twice, once as part of the FY2007 emergency appropriations supplemental bill and again as standalone legislation. The bill was introduced by House Committee on...

U.S. Communities adds office furniture contract.(NEWS)
April 1, 2007... The U.S. Communities program has announced the new Office Furniture contract was awarded to All-steel, Haworth, Herman Miller, KI, and Knoll. The contract will be available to public agencies for use beginning May 1, 2007. Steelcase will not be...

Report finds state and local disaster plans aren't making the grade.(NEWS)
April 1, 2007... Five years after the September 11 and anthrax tragedies, adequate emergency preparedness at all levels--federal, state, and local--remains catch-as-catch-can, say experts. A new study reveals that most states are not prepared for a major...

Distributor recognizes outstanding suppliers.(NEWS)
April 1, 2007... Grainger presented 27 top-performing suppliers with its Partners in Performance Supplier Award for 2006. Grainger, a broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving government entities throughout North America, presents the award...

Deadline for the 12th annual AEP awards approaches.(Achievement of Excellence in Procurement)(National Purchasing Institute )(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Founded in 1995 by the National Purchasing Institute (NPI), the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence in professionalism, innovation, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership. ...

Alternative Compliance option available for state, fuel provider fleets.(FLEET NEWS)
April 1, 2007... Using alternative fuels is one way covered fleets can reduce petroleum consumption through the new Alternative Compliance option. In March 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule that offers state and alternative...

Responsible purchasing guide covers fleets.(FLEET NEWS)
April 1, 2007... The Responsible Purchasing Network's (RPN) new Fleet Guide assesses light-duty fleet vehicles and fuels that operate efficiently, reduce emissions, improve air quality, deliver economic and energy security benefits, and produce less waste. ...

Millions of Alternative Fuel Autos hit the roads.(FLEET NEWS)
April 1, 2007... According to 2006 sales data from R.L. Polk and Co., there are 10.5 million Alternative Fuel Autos on the nation's roads today. Sales figures also reveal that 1.5 million Alternative Fuel Autos were sold in 2006, surpassing Alliance of...

IRS certifies Saturn Aura as qualified hybrid.(FLEET NEWS)
April 1, 2007... The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has acknowledged the certification by General Motors Corp. that its 2007 Saturn Aura Hybrid vehicle meets requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a qualified hybrid motor vehicle. The...

Budgets, costs rank tops among fleet manager concerns.(FLEET NEWS)
April 1, 2007... "What do fleet maintenance managers want to know more about?" was a primary question asked of the hundreds of members of a fleet maintenance software users group. In a recent survey, fleet budgeting ranked first among 11 major fleet...

BP to invest $500 million in energy research center.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... BP plans to invest $500 million over the next ten years to establish a dedicated biosciences energy research laboratory attached to the University of California Berkeley and its partners the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the...

GSA meets green goals.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... The General Services Administration (GSA) Northeast Region has finalized competitive power supply contracts for several three- to five-year terms using the World Energy Exchange. Under the terms of these contracts, GSA is expected to purchase...

EcoLogo announces green licensees.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... The EcoLogo Program certifies the environmental leadership claims for products and services in dozens of industries and hundreds of product categories. This includes everything from cleaning chemicals, building materials, agricultural products,...

New York City announces Green Schools Guide.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... The New York City Department of Education and the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) have announced the publication of NYC Green Schools Guide (GSG) and Rating System, which will guide the sustainable design, construction, and...

President Bush issues new Executive Order on purchasing.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management." The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable energy, toxic reductions,...

Johnson Controls expands renewable energy services.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... In response to increasing global demand for renewable energy, Johnson Controls, Inc., is expanding its business direction in the areas of designing, installing, and servicing geothermal, solar, biomass, wind, and other renewable sources as...

Responsible Purchasing Network launches Web site.(GREEN NEWS)(Website overview)
April 1, 2007... The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN), at the Center for a New American Dream, has launched ResponsiblePurchasing.org in response to a growing demand for information on purchasing goods and services with leading-edge social and environmental...

Sample recovery extends materials' lifecycles.(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Tandus, a manufacturer of commercial floorcoverings, has launched Retrieve, a new program to recover physical product samples and sample folders from the marketplace. Developed in collaboration with the Carolinas Chapter of the International...

Something else to recycle.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... As more and more facilities replace old toilets and urinals, facility managers now have the task of discarding the old fixtures. Fortunately, there are a number of uses for old toilets and urinals that make them candidates for recycling. ...

Research institutions and businesses launch renewable fuels venture.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... A joint venture among businesses and Colorado research institutions to further develop renewable fuels was announced at the state capitol in Denver. The new Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2) is a research venture between...

Illinois to consider Green Cleaning legislation.(GREEN NEWS)
April 1, 2007... Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and State Rep. Karen May announced that they will introduce the Green Cleaning Schools Act to the state's legislature for consideration. The legislation--HB 895--requires all elementary and secondary schools...

Diversity spending pays back in dollars and sense: an Ivy league university reaps substantial rewards from its supplier diversity initiative.(SUPPLIER DIVERSITY)
April 1, 2007... As the largest private employer in the city of Philadelphia and the fourth-largest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) wields a mighty economic punch--$725 million in direct spending and $1.06 billion in...

Government Purchasers roll out the green carpet: manufacturers rush to meet California's new environmental requirements for carpet.
April 1, 2007... When you hear California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger bragging about the state's green carpet, he is not referring to the color. He is instead praising the high performance environmental features incorporated into every square foot of carpet...

Georgia county streamlines financial systems and procurement procedures: by implementing enterprise solutions, officials in DeKalb County, GA, improved operational efficiency and increased savings.
April 1, 2007... As the third most-populated county in Georgia, Dekalb County provides its growing population with a wide range of products and services. Similar to other government agencies, the county strives to deliver a high level of service to citizens,...

Are shared services in the procurement mix? Although Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) adapts information technology to be reused by other federal agencies and departments, barriers surround implementation.(SHARED SERVICES)
April 1, 2007... At first glance, it seems that the value of a shared service environment for the federal government would be obvious. The process involves taking existing information technology (IT) capabilities and, through the judicious application of...

Soluble organic products condition soil, balance nutrients, manage diseases.(PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: grounds & landscaping)(Disease/Disorder overview)
April 1, 2007... Naturally Balanced Nutrients (NBN) Turf and Plant Products contain HumaSoil, a natural, supersaturated, soluble Activated Humic Acid in ecologically balanced soil amendments, fertility products, and nutritional supplements. Concentrated liquid...

Zero-turn mower conquers turf-maintenance jobs.
April 1, 2007... Enforcer 48 zero-turn mower boasts ultimate control and precision cutting. Offers a 21-hp., air-cooled Kawasaki V-Twin engine with Dual Hydro-Gear charged ZT-2800 transmission. Ground speed reaches 8 m.p.h. forward, 3.5 m.p.h. in reverse....

Skid-steer loader complies with noise ordinances.
April 1, 2007... K-Series A300 all-wheel steer loader boasts a hydraulically driven, variable-speed SmartFAN that senses machine's operating temperature and rotates only as fast as necessary to meet cooling needs. Enables loader to run up to 30% quieter to...

Boom mowers reach over, under, around obstacles.
April 1, 2007... Flail and rotary cutter head booms can reach from 14 to 25 ft., cut through grass, brush, and trees, and work around guard rails, signs, and waterways. Feature solid mount, front-, mid-, and rear-braced mounting; cushioned swing cylinder;...

Tank Sprayer treats grass, trees, shrubs, and more.(PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: grounds & landscaping)
April 1, 2007... E-Series Protank Sprayer Model TT1050E2D uses 2 Udor Kappa-15 diaphragm pumps and heavy-duty, 12-v. electric motors to produce 70 p.s.i. maximum pressure and 3.2 gal. per min. flow. Dual 100- and 50-gal. poly tanks with jet agitation apply...

Injection system aerates, amends turf in one step.
April 1, 2007... DryJect contract turf maintenance service uses high-speed, water-based injection system that blasts aeration holes through turf root zone. Fractures soil while simultaneously filling in soil amendments. Relieves compaction, increases water...

Fabric Blanket protects turf, promotes growth.
April 1, 2007... Turf Blanket made of DuPont Xavan high-strength, lightweight, non-woven polypropylene fabric acts like a greenhouse for grass. Both air and water permeable, it raises soil and air temperatures and retains moisture to accelerate germination and...

Overseeder optimizes seed-to-soil contact for germination.
April 1, 2007... DS-22's micro-screw depth adjustment accurately sets cutter blades for best seed-to-soil contact and maximum germination. Seeding depth adjusts between 1 1/2 in. above ground to 1 1/2-in. deep. Cutting blades are set 1 1/2-in. apart for close...

Power-packed auger lets one operator drill holes.
April 1, 2007... Easy Auger II offers a wide range of auger sizes (from 2 to 18 ins. in dia.). Available with a variety of teeth, adapters, and extensions (up to 66 ins. deep). Drive system provides up to 350 ft.-lbs. of torque, with a variable auger speed of...

Rotors deliver consistent water spray to windy golf courses.(PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: grounds & landscaping)
April 1, 2007... Eagle 705/755 Wind Tolerant Rotors are specifically designed for windy course conditions. Inverse wedge spray pattern with 12[degrees] spray trajectory delivers greater water mass up front, creating inertia to resist wind and distribute water...

Find over 600 exhibits at GSA's annual products and Services Expo.(United States. General Services Administration)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... The U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) International Products and Services Expo 2007 will be held in Orlando, FL, May 15, 16, and 17, 2007. The 13th annual event is designed for all levels of government personnel who make or influence...

White paper covers impact of electronic payments on procurement.(RESOURCES)
April 1, 2007... Intended for a wide audience of federal agency CFOs, CIOs, acquisition officers, and other professionals involved in government payments, "GSA SmartPay: Innovation, Integration and Information at Work," was unveiled at a recent Public Sector...

Leading revenue agencies employ risk management strategies.(RESOURCES)
April 1, 2007... Innovative revenue agencies have learned to organize around managing risk and to adopt a customer-centric view as a means to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, according to a report released by Accenture. The report, "Revenue...

New energy policy web site connects decision makers and industry.(RESOURCES)
April 1, 2007... The Smarter Energy Policy Forum combines think tanks, blogs, and news with energy policy venues for real-time information on issues. The Forum, launched with expert contribution ranging from electricity competition to renewable energy...

CDW Government, Inc.(CONTRACTS)
April 1, 2007... CDW Government, Inc., a source of Information Technology (IT) solutions to governments and educators, announced that it was awarded a SmartBuy Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to offer McAfee Total Protection for Enterprise solutions and...

Civitium, LLC.(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Civitium, LLC, a consulting firm for municipal broadband and digital community initiatives, has been named to the list of firms approved by the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide Management, Organizational and Business Improvement...

Readers.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... I was very impressed by your article on whistle blowers in public procurement (Whistle Blowers Enforce Procurement Ethics, October 2006). This provided a great example of true integrity in action. While it is disappointing to see the state...

Marks on professionalism.(PROFESSIONALISM)
April 1, 2007... "A professional is a person who can do his best at a time when he doesn't particularly feel like it." --Alistair Cooke "Professionalism is a consistent level of behavior." --Al Robertson The words of Alistair Cooke and Al...