October 2020

COVID Lessons Learned Research Project Launched

The COVID Lessons Learned Research Project aims to collect data about the organization of procurement and sourcing strategies during the disaster response and what characteristics of state procurement organizations can guarantee an effect response during emergency situations. The research project is in partnership with the National Governor’s Association (NGA) and academics from Oregon State University, George Washington Law School, Florida International University, North Carolina State University, and Arizona State University. NASPO staff will be reaching out to state CPOs for their participation in this research project.

Upcoming Events

Virtual Law Institute – Save the Date! November 18-19, 2020

This year we will be welcoming four attendees per state. Watch email next week for registration information.

State Member Quarterly Call Make NASPO Work for You October 14 | 3 pm ET Register for the first of a new series where we discuss how to make the most of your NASPO benefits. This webinar is great for new Central Procurement staff, as well as anyone who wants a refresher on where to find NASPO benefits and how best to use them. Get to know our membership team, too! Register Now Data Analytics Demystified November 10 | 2 pm ET The Research and Innovation Team will be hosting a webinar, Data Analytics Demystified. Attendees will be able to: Define what data analytics are and are not See current state examples of how developing a data analytics program can benefit the central procurement office The webinar will be eligible for 1 UPPCC contact hour. Don’t miss this learning opportunity! Register Now

Pulse Podcast Preview

Check out this sneak preview of the podcast episode dropping on Tuesday, October 6. Shelby Kearns, National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), and Erica MacKellar, National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL), discuss pandemic budgets and how procurement officials can work with their legislatures. Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss the full interview!

Subscribe to the Pulse Podcast or listen online:

Reminder!

The deadline for submitting reimbursement requests for 2020 is December 11, 2020. All fund policies and request forms can be found on the Reimbursements page of the NASPO Network.

Use Your Funds

Don’t forget to check out the Procurement U courses as a way to use your PD funds! New courses are available: Introduction to Ethical Procurement (1 contact hour) Introduction to Bid Protests (2 contact hours) Be on the lookout for another course on the way soon: Ethical Procurement Strategies!

Remote Government Work: A Challenge and an Opportunity Shifting Safely to Online Learning Meaning Investing in Cyber FEMA Says It Will Stop Paying for Cloth Face Masks for Schools PPE Shortage Could Last Years Without Strategic Plan, Experts Warn Ohio Awards $20M to Manufacturers for Sustained PPE Production

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