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Name: Diverse Connections: Bringing vendors & buyers together
Start: 2024-03-20T12:15+00:00
End: 2024-03-20T16:00+00:00

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Purchasing was established as a centralized operation to control and reduce the cost of acquiring supplies, materials, equipment and services. As such, the unit provides timely, effective and efficient procurement services to departments and agencies, and to vendors doing business with Oakland County.

Each year, Oakland County Government spends a major portion of it's annual budget on the goods and services necessary to its day-to-day and long-term operations. This represents a tremendous opportunity for the vendor community. With a most recent budget expenditure in excess of 500 million dollars, governmental operations are comparable in size to many other large organizations. Oakland County depends on the vendor community to provide those goods and services economically, reliably, and in a timely manner.

The County has a long-time policy of using a formal, competitive procurement process in which all vendors are evaluated with equal consideration. Once a need has been identified, Purchasing will solicit the appropriate members of the vendor community for pricing and purchase information.

A solicitation can take the form of a request for quotation (RFQ) which is used for most commodity based items; a request for proposal (RFP) which is used for many contracted services; or qualifications based selection which is used primarily for architectural and engineering services.

Once the solicitations are returned, the process of selecting the successful vendor begins. This selection process may involve the use of various criteria including cost, delivery lead time, payment terms, vendor history or past performance, experience, location, reference checks, etc.

The successful vendor is issued a purchase order for a one-time purchase, a blanket order for long-term repetitive supply purchases, or a contract when some type of service is required.

Awards

2024 Graphic Design USA Digital Design Winner

2023 Michigan's Buyer of the Year

To recognize individuals for their work in purchasing, involvement with their community, contributions to MPPOA and their profession. The intent of this award is to recognize individuals who have completed a unique or special project or have been outstanding employees within the last year. The Michigan Public Purchasing Officers Association (MPPOA) awards Oakland County's own - Andy Krumweide, Buyer of the Year.

2017 Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award

The Oakland County Purchasing Division has received the Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP). This award is given only to leaders in the public procurement profession based on a comprehensive review of purchasing practices and professionalism. It demonstrates the highest standard of competency in the public purchasing profession and emphasizes that the agency receiving the accreditation can make sound decisions that reflect maximum value for the taxpayer's dollar.

The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP) is a national, membership-based non-profit organization providing support to professionals in the public sector purchasing profession by providing education, professional networking, research, and technical assistance. NIGP has over 2100 agency members representing federal, state, provincial and local government entities across the United States and Canada.

2016 Michigan's Buyer of the Year

2016 NACo Achievement Award Winner

The National Association of Counties is pleased to great Oakland County a 2016 Achievement Award for its program titled “Purchasing eSignature Project” in the category of County Administration Management. The intent of this program was to reduce the length of time needed to obtain signatures on a Purchase Order, Contract, or Amendment, and to be able to track the advancement of that document throughout the signature process until complete. Purchasing has increased efficiency with finalizing procurement documents, while also reducing postage and supply expenditures.

2014 MPPOA Agency of the Year Award

Events

Diverse Connections: Bringing vendors & buyers together

Date: 03/20/2024 8:15 AM - 12:00 PM 03/20/2024 8:15 AM 03/20/2024 12:00 PM

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Join us for breakfast and an opportunity to connect and network with buyers for government agencies, schools, universities and local businesses.

8:15 a.m. Registration Begins & Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Introduction
9:30 a.m. Networking

The event will kick off with an introduction from County Executive Dave Coulter, Chief Diversity Officer Harry Weaver and officials from Oakland Thrive. The networking sessions will begin at 9:30am, concluding at noon.

Location:

Suburban Collection Showplace
(Onyx/Opal/Garnet)
46100 Grand River Ave. • Novi, MI 48374
FREE PARKING

Event registration is required by 5pm on March 12, 2024.

Questions? Email purchasing@oakgov.com.

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