Pima County's Procurement Department has just snagged the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for the 20th year running, as reported by Pima County Newsroom. This award, given by the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI), celebrates agencies that demonstrate innovation, professionalism, and leadership in their procurement practices.
The department's win this year is particularly notable due to its implementation of a new eProcurement system, Bidnet Direct. Terri Spencer, the Procurement Director, expressed her pride in the team for continuously striving to align their work with best practices and for their dedication to customer service. "The award application process allows our team to review and improve our procurement processes to align with best practices and to provide excellent customer service," Spencer said in a statement. Her commitment to encouraging the team's ongoing education and professional development is a key piece to their sustained excellence.
Recognition seems to be no stranger to the department which stands as a beacon of operational consistency amidst Pima County's system. Out of the many agencies in Arizona, only 12 received the AEP Award in 2024, marking Pima County’s department as part of an elite group that consistently sets the bar for procurement practices.
According to Spencer, achieving points for Bidnet Direct was an admirable accomplishment for everyone in her department. "We are excited that this year’s submittal achieved points for our newly implemented eProcurement system, Bidnet Direct, which is an admirable accomplishment for our department. Receiving this award recognizes the hard work and dedication of our amazing procurement team," she mentioned in a recent statement.
The AEP Award may be a feather in the cap for the procurement team collectively, but on a grander scale, it ratifies the continued effort of individuals in Pima County, positioning both them and the county within an international framework of recognition shared by only 49 counties throughout the United States and Canada.
