Back to the Top  

The Purchasing Division is working on a new project that will assist all of our customers — state agencies, political subdivisions and business representatives.

This offering will make statewide contracts that are currently issued by the Purchasing Division available electronically at the division's website.

Recently, a scanning module was installed on the division's copy machines offering us this capability. With more than 60 statewide contracts issued by the Purchasing Division currently in effect, several of which are awarded to multiple vendors, the scanning process is the first step to making these contracts accessible on the Internet.

Because some contracts are discounted from catalog pricing, not all contracts will be scanned completely; however, if the vendor has an online catalog, we will assist in guiding the user to that website for their convenience.

The division anticipates having the online statewide contract information available on our website (www.state.wv.us/ admin/purchase) by April 1, 2005.

Additional information on the status of the statewide contract project will be reported in next month's issue of The Buyers Network.

This project is yet another attempt which the Purchasing Division is making to enhance the availability of information to our business custo-mers utilizing today's technology.

If you have a suggestion regarding our website, including information you would like to see made available or general comments, please feel free to e-mail our web team at team@wvadmin.gov. Your input is greatly appreciated and always valued.

Statewide Contract Information...At Your Fingertips
A current statewide contract listing is available at the Purchasing Division's website at www.state.wv.us/admin/purchase/ swcframe.htm.

This list contains the purchase order number, vendor name, and expiration date. A link to statewide contract descriptions is available.

Back to the Top  

What's State Government Buying?

The West Virginia Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing is sponsoring the course, "The Legal Aspects of Public Procurement" on April 6-8, 2005.

The class, which will be conducted at the Hampton Inn in downtown Charleston, is designed to be an educational exploration of the legalities of public procurement. It provides a foundation of the principles and general concepts of the law as it applies to purchasing.

Attention will be given to the ethical issues facing the professional relevant to the law. The course targets any individual who is substantially involved in the public procurement contracting process.

In addition, this course would be of interest to individuals who want to increase their understanding of both the capability and limitation of the law on government procedures.

Barbara Johnson, CPPO, CPPB, will be the instructor for this course.

Another upcoming educational opportunity...The West Virginia Chapter of NIGP also is planning to sponsor yet another professional development course, "Introduction to Public Procurement."

This course is tentatively scheduled for September 14-16, 2005. The location has not been confirmed at this time. The instructor will be Larry Wellman, CPPO.

An Important Skill in Business: How to Remember a Name

In the purchasing world, individuals with the responsibility of procurement have to deal with many different persons: business representatives, agency purchasers, legislators and the public.

During these interactions, it is often difficult to remember an individual's name after you meet him/her. The following technique may aid your memory during your business conversations.

1. Focus. You want to send a positive message to the person you are meeting. Pay attention to your pose. Are you leaning in, are you telling the person that this moment is important to you and that he/she has your undivided attention?

2. Ask. Repeat the name back to the person you are meeting. Ask if you have the name correct. This will make you an active participant in the meeting and shows that you are paying attention.

3. The Spelling. Make sure you know how the person's name is spelled. It will help cement the name in your mind. Once you have repeated the name and the spelling in your mind, cross reference it with something else — possibly a celebrity's name with whom you are already familiar.

4. Employ. Once you have everything clarified, it is very helpful to introduce your new acquaintance to someone else. This makes you say the name out loud and fixes it in your memory.

— Adapted from Remember Every Name Every Time by Benjamin Levy

Back to the Top

In the past, our agency purchasers have notified the Purchasing Division regarding suspicious contacts from vendors regarding the purchase of toner cartridges.

One agency procurement officer indicated a vendor contacted her regarding copy machine supplies and told her there was some confusion about an increase in pricing on toner cartridges. They offered to send her two at a specially low price. Unsure of this vendor, she began asking questions and quickly called their bluff.

This is an important lesson for all of us...ask questions! If you are suspicious that a deal is too good to be true, ask the vendor for more information. Even offer to get back with them which will most likely deter their scam.

Senior Buyer Betty Francisco reminds agency personnel of a statewide contract for toner cartridges (INKCRT03) that IS legal. The vendor for this contract is Impression Products. She adds that cartridges which may not be available through this contract may most likely be obtained at Office Max (as part of the Office Supply Contract [OFFICE02]).

Back to the Top

Marc Roberts Joins the Purchasing Division's ACA Staff as Senior Buyer

Marc Roberts recently joined the Acquisitions and Contract Administration Section as senior buyer.

His resume definitely reflects he is a man who enjoys a challenge. At the early age of 21, he became a state trooper, stationed at the Beckley detachment. He later transferred to the security detail at the Governor's Mansion, in which he was responsible to guard our state's top executive - the governor and/or his family members.

His first assignment was with Gov. John D. Rockefeller, IV, and he remained in this position during the administrations of Gov. Arch Moore, Jr. and Gov. Gaston Caperton.

Roberts said he enjoyed his experience working with the various governors. "It was our job to protect the governor and his family," he said.

In 1994, Roberts transferred to the West Virginia State Police's Planning and Research Section where his duties included grant management. That was his first experience working with the Purchasing Division and its buying staff. He said he has always had a pleasant experience because the staff was always eager to assist meeting his needs.

Six years later, he transferred to the State Police's Procurement Section, where he was later promoted to rank of captain and was named director of procurement.

After 27 years with the State Police, Roberts decided to retire only to find himself looking for another challenge a year later. Having tried real estate appraisals and even becoming a court security officer at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Building, he explained, "I'm so used to being busy. Working with grants and procurement meant I juggled a large amount of paperwork, reading, searching the Internet and using my brain. I heard about this position, and decided to apply."

Assistant Purchasing Director Karen Byrd is enthusiastic about Roberts coming on board. "The fact that Marc comes to us with not only purchasing experience, but state government experience is exciting. Having come from outside state government myself, I realize state government is something you have to learn and experience," she said. "I don't think there is any education that trains you for state government. I think that will definitely be an advantage and Marc's learning curve will be much shorter because of his experience as a buyer with the State Police."

Roberts said he has known several of the buyers for more than seven years and has worked with them in various aspects. Because of this previous working relationship with many of the ACA staff, he felt comfortable in accepting this position. "There is just so much to learn," he said. "I feel like I should be running when I walk in the door."

Roberts and his wife Tammy have been married for more than 22 years and have two children: Eric, 21, who attends West Virginia State College, and Emily, 20, who attends Marshall University.

The Purchasing Division is pleased to welcome Marc!

Back to the Top

File 33
John Johnston
(558-0492)

File 41
Ron Price
(558-2316)

File 42 
Betty Francisco
(558-0468)

Back to the Top

Questions?...Just Ask!

Back to the Top