The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) has recently been awarded the National Procurement Institute's Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® for its outstanding IT procurement practices. The award, which is a mark of distinction for public agencies, acknowledges NCDIT's commitment to innovation, leadership, and e-Procurement, among other qualities. NCDIT's Chief IT Procurement Officer James Tanzosch expressed pride in this recognition, stating that it is the department's first time receiving the award.
With 216 winners overall – including a mix of cities, counties, special districts, school districts, higher education agencies, and state or provincial agencies – NCDIT stood out for having tailored its practices to the unique needs of IT procurement, which involves meeting stringent technological and privacy standards. The complexity of the procurement, review, and authorization process for IT is no small feat, but, according to a statement obtained by N.C. Department of Information Technology, their hard work has not gone unnoticed.
As an initiative to optimize procurement procedures, the Statewide IT Procurement Office has implemented a streamlined 10-step process. This not only ensures that products and services undergo thorough vetting, but also enhances the overall efficiency of procurement activities. N.C. Department of Information Technology is also aiming to complete statewide IT procurements within a brisk 90-day timeframe, in hopes that state agencies can swiftly adopt the necessary tools to effectively serve North Carolinians.
In adopting the Best Value procurement method, NCDIT's professional staff, with over 75% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, appears dedicated to both quality and educational excellence. The adoption of state statute, alongside the Best Value procurement method, reflects NCDIT’s commitment to standards that exceed the basic requirements of regulation. "Optimizing North Carolina’s IT procurement processes to drive efficiency and help government move at the speed of innovation remains one of our top priorities," NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione remarked in a statement obtained by N.C. Department of Information Technology.
NCDIT’s 2025 application highlights included a procurement automation program utilizing generative AI and software robots, electronic sourcing tools, and data analytics to bolster transparency and effectiveness. The National Procurement Institute has recognized the department's continued pursuit of procurement excellence since 1995, and details about this prestigious award can be found on their website.
