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Purchasing Department recognized for web site

The Fulton County Schools Purchasing Department recently received two national awards for its efficiency in purchasing management. This marks the third national award received over the last year.

The department received the 2004 Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Purchasing Institute and Institute of Supply Management in August. Fulton is the only K-12 public school system in the nation to receive the award for four consecutive years. The award recognizes organizations that are innovative, professional, productive, and have strong leadership.

Purchasing Director Wilma A. Gibbs-Matthews credits her staff’s approach to “working smarter, not harder” as a factor for receiving the award. Technology advancements, such as their award-winning web site, allow vendors to register online and download solicitations. This allows the Purchasing staff to focus on more important tasks such as awarding systemwide contracts instead of mailing solicitations and thousands of purchase orders daily. The automation provides a substantial savings for the entire school system.

It was because of this web site, www.fcspurchasingdept.org, that the Center for Digital Education awarded Fulton in its 2004 Best of the Web contest and Digital Education Achievement Awards program. Only 40 education institutions nationwide were acknowledged.

The program recognizes education web sites that improve web-based delivery of service through site efficiency, functionality, and innovation. The Purchasing Department web site was the first separate school system purchasing site in the state and has made its mark by providing wider vendor competition and better communication with both employees and vendors.

The web site allows potential vendors and contractors to register online and be placed on the system bid list, to receive information on how to do business with the system and to view current solicitations. Employees and departments also can use e-commerce technology to order from vendors who have negotiated contracts with the school system. The site also features access to a “virtual mall” that allows employees to order office and custodial supplies and other materials online.