This year we tried something new by joining our vendor partners together with our agency purchasers. Although we were unsure what to expect, the outcome was overwhelmingly positive.

With nearly 400 participants attending this year’s event, the Purchasing Division would be neglectful to not pay special tribute to those individuals who actively participated as one-on-one consultants, workshop panelists and presenters, Purchasing Feud contestants, and good sports during the banquet entertainment. Without their assistance, the conference could not have been such a success.

I also would like to personally thank my staff for the hard work and time they spent in preparing for this conference. From the coordination and planning to the actual presentation of information, their dedication made this conference a high-quality, educational training extravaganza.

Now that the conference is over, there are many projects which we will be working to complete. We will continue to keep you posted on our progress we make through The Buyers Network.

Again, for those who attended this year’s Agency and Vendor Purchasing Conference, thank you for your participation!

The Purchasing Division appreciates the feedback from our agency purchasers who attended the 2003 Agency and Vendor Purchasing Conference & Product Exposition.

Conference evaluation forms were included in the participants' packets. The feedback we receive assists us in making positive improvements to our training programs.

You've seen the commercials and they seem too good to be true: secure a loan by the promise to repay it on your next payday. The Federal Citizen Information Center wants consumers to know the truth.

If a person borrows $100 for two weeks (until payday), he or she will have to shell out $115 to repay the loan. Crunch the numbers and you'll find that's an annual percentage rate of 390 percent.

The center advises avoiding payday loans by considering the alternatives: asking for more time to pay a bill, seeking a small loan from a bank or using a cash advance on a credit card. Payday loans have been declared illegal in 19 states.

A new statewide contract for office supplies was recently awarded to Boise Cascade, the vendor who previously serviced this contract. According to Senior Buyer Betty Francisco, this contract brings a change in the order limits.

"It is mandatory for office supply ordes in excess of $100 to be sent to Boise," she said. "Order of less than $100 may be sent to Boise or to any other office supply company."

Francisco warns agency purchasers of the prohibition against stringing, which is when an agency issues a series of requisitions or purchase orders to circumvent the established limit. Stringing is a violation of purchasing policy.

"In most instances, the prices on this contract are lower than those you will pay elsewhere for the exact same item delivered to your door," she adds. "Agencies also should remember if employee time is taken away from work to shop, item(s) purchased will actually cost much more including salary expense."

Boise Cascade has been sending the 2003 net pricers with the orders. If you do not receive the net pricers, contact customer service at 1-800-47-BOISE and request the State of WV 2003 net pricer, item number B9SWVPricer03.

"Everyone is encouraged to use the online Internet catalog to order. Boise will schedule training for anyone interested in this online system, which virtually eliminates the chance of human error," she said.

Mick Bell is the representative for the following counties and the Department of Environ-mental Protection: Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Glimer, Jackson, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Pleasants, Putnam, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Upshur, Wayne, Wirt, and Wood. He may be reached at (304) 529-0482 or via e-mail at mickbell@boiseoffice.com.

Wendell Samson is the repre-sentative for all other agencies and counties not listed above. Wendell may be reached at (304) 755-7267 home office, (800) 532-6473, ext. 8353 voicemail, or via e-mail at  wendellsampson@boiseoffice.com.

Francisco notes that the following items cannot be purchased through this contract:

The Purchasing Division recently announced that Family Carpets was awarded the statewide contract for floor covering services. This contract now includes carpet and vinyl tile; thus, the name of this statewide contract has changed from CARPET to FLRCOV.

Senior Buyer Betty Francisco explains that this contract contains several grades of carpeting. "The grades of carpet were added in response to requests received about the quality and type of carpet available on the previous statewide contract," she said.

She added that users of this contract should become familiar with the responsibilities of the agency and the contractor. These obligations are detailed in the specifications of the purchase order.

The Purchasing Division is pleased to continue our recognition programs which salutes two state employees at our annual purchasing conference.

The announcements were made at the 2003 Agency and Vendor Purchasing Conference on April 10. Numerous nominations were received by the Purchasing Division from various state agencies for the Agency Procurement Officer of the Year and the Partner in Purchasing. Detailed below are our 2003 honored recipients:

This award recognizes individuals in the procurement field who have demonstrated high levels of performance and professionalism.

Syble serves as the Procurement Officer for the Department of Tax and Revenue. She has served the state for eight years.

In 1999, she was promoted to her current position and according to her superiors and peers, she has adapted very well with the heavy workload. She made minor changes to the internal procurement procedures, which improve the process by 90%.

According to one of her co-workers, "Syble's image and professional energy makes the workplace a positive and calm atmosphere. She is a valuable asset."

Another co-worker added, "Her coordination of her work with vendors and agency purchasing personnel in a professional manner guarantees and secures the required purchasing documentation."

This award recognizes individuals who have exceeded expectations in working with the various programs administered by the Purchasing Division, including Capitol Parking, Fleet Management, Fixed Assets, Surplus Property, TEAM and Travel Management.

Patricia is the agency fleet coordinator for the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration. She has diligently worked to organize, manage and improve her agency's operations concerning its fleet of vehicles. She has been instrumental in determining which employees, through regularly performed mileage cost-benefit ratio analysis, should be assigned a vehicle.

According to one of Patricia's co-workers, "In addition to managing the fiscal affairs of the ABCA, Patricia has shown great enthusiasm and propensity for her work relating to fleet management. As comptroller of the agency, her responsibilities ultimately touch and effect every aspect of the agency."

As a result of the passage of House Bill 2592 during the 2003 Legislative Session, a change in Legislative Rule 148 CSR 6 was made affecting the monthly parking fees paid by state employees working at the Capitol Complex.

Effective July 1, 2003, the parking fee will increase to $16 per month and raise $1 per month each year thereafter until it reaches $20 per month in 2007. Payment by the employees shall be made through payroll deduction, unless otherwise authorized.

The monthly parking rates will be as follows:

July 1, 2003 $16 per month

July 1, 2004 $17 per month

July 1, 2005 $18 per month

July 1, 2006 $19 per month

July 1, 2007 $20 per month

Other changes relative to parking as a result of recent legislation are highlighted below:

Are you unsure of certain purchasing procedures? ... Do you have a question regarding travel requests? ... Would you want to know what surplus property is available? ... If you need information concerning any function within the Purchasing Division, complete this form: