Union County's dedication to upholding exceptional purchasing standards has once again been recognized, as its Procurement and Contract Management Department received the 2024 Sustained Professional Purchasing Award. This prestigious accolade, given by the North Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing, marks the ninth consecutive year the department has been honored.
The Sustained Professional Purchasing Award is not handed out lightly; only member agencies that show a consistent dedication to the principles of professional purchasing receive the nod. Union County's department, under the guidance of Director Cheryl Wright, stands among the 17 agencies that met the stringent criteria this past year. "Our team works hard and collaborates with other departments to ensure we follow the highest professional purchasing standards," Wright said, emphasizing the team's collaborative spirit in a statement obtained by Union County's official website.
The awarding entity, the North Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing, looks for agencies that not only answer critical application questions but also provide detailed documentation substantiating their adherence to optimal practices. Union County's team demonstrated their compliance through significant details and extensive paperwork, culminating in the award's presentation during a banquet in Greensboro on March 19.
The local governing body, the Board of County Commissioners, didn't miss the opportunity to recognize the department’s persistent excellence at its meeting on Monday. This accolade reinforces the department's resolve to be efficient managers of public money, aligning with Wright's statement of commitment to their fiscal responsibilities. Acknowledging the hard-earned achievement, the Procurement, and Contract Management team continues to set the standard for procurement excellence in North Carolina.
