- March 29, 2021
- Posted by: James
- Category:
Lexington, KY – Procurement staff nationwide can improve future emergency response using the lessons outlined in the new study released today by the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO). Assessing State PPE Procurement During COVID-19: A Research Report, a joint study conducted by NASPO and academics from five universities, shows the impact of COVID-19 on state procurement and lessons learned to improve services in the future.
Using over 100 hours of interviews with state procurement staff, suppliers, and other state officials, NASPO and the academic researchers developed a comprehensive study of the state procurement pandemic response. The report’s findings will inform procurement staff in developing “ideal” practices for disaster management and support of state operations. Among the findings are centralized procurement governance demonstrating increased efficacy in tackling supply chain disruption and better coordination among disaster-response entities. The researchers also outline a Maturity Model to assist states with benchmarking procurement practices for future improvement.
Public procurement is an essential function of state government, providing for the purchase of goods and services necessary for the safe and effective operations of the states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, state procurement offices faced unprecedented challenges and spend sourcing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), providing remote working solutions, and obtaining other needed materials and services.
“Partnering with the academic researchers allows NASPO to take the anecdotal stories we heard during the multiple phases of the pandemic and use them to improve our profession. Our members are invaluable resources for their states, and their expertise can, and should, improve any emergency actions by the state. NASPO is proud to support them with specific research into their professional response, said NASPO Chief Executive Officer Lindle Hatton.
Read Assessing State PPE Procurement During COVID-19: A Research Report.
Media Contact: Kelly McKown King, [email protected], (859) 618-6884
About NASPO: The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members as public procurement leaders through promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies.