June 2023
In This Issue ...
Procurement professionals and agency leaders,
As Central Purchasing continues to make strides toward increasing our quality, velocity and efficiency, we are excited to be wrapping up fiscal year 2023. We know you can understand the whirlwind this last month has been. We truly appreciate all of your hard work in wrapping up another great year.
Please make sure and review our latest CPO announcements linked at the right for important information related to Strategic Sourcing training. Just a reminder, Strategic Sourcing will be mandatory across the state starting July 1. If you have questions about this training, please email procurement.training@omes.ok.gov.
As a quick note on threshold increase applications, Executive Order 2023-4 prohibits the state purchasing director from granting exceptions to the Central Purchasing Act. In order to evaluate the compliance of our processes to this executive order, OMES Central Purchasing is placing a hold on processing applications to increase agency spending thresholds. We are still currently processing requests to increase the P-card threshold.
Finally, I am pleased to announce the creation of our Procurement Innovation team. This group is tasked with creating and implementing cutting-edge procurement techniques to create a more agile, more effective and more tailored experience for you, as our customer. We will be reaching out to willing agencies in the coming months to pilot these techniques on appropriate solicitations. If you want additional information on this team or have ideas of your own for improving our processes, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
Warm regards,
Amanda L. Otis, Esq.
State Purchasing Director
Office of Management and Enterprise Service
Central Purchasing metrics
Statewide Contracts
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The Statewide Contracts team provides contracts for products and services for all state agencies, higher education, cities, counties, K-12 schools, and tribal governments to procure their needs. The increased statewide contract spend is the result of combined efforts of promotion and education by the Procurement Outreach team and the increase of products and services available on the statewide contracts.
Agency Acquisitions
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The Agency Acquisitions team executes agency-specific acquisitions on behalf of state agencies that have a value exceeding the agency acquisition threshold.
News and updates
OMES Central Purchasing is continuing to work with our new Risk, Assessment and Compliance division to satisfy all directives and recommendations received from the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, the Governor’s Office via the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, the Governor’s Office via Executive Order 2023-04 and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office via 2023 OK AG 4.
We are working through implementing an incredible process mining software to give OMES Central Purchasing insight into statewide procurement like we have never had before.
Additionally, we have initiated changes within PeopleSoft to make utilizing and approving exempt purchases more streamlined and effective.
Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for subsequent communications detailing more on these ventures. If you have any questions about anything in this newsletter, please contact cp.feedback@omes.ok.gov.
CPO announcements
Review the latest announcements for certified procurement officers.
Save the date!
The State Suppliers Expo, hosted by the State of Oklahoma, is back and better than ever for its highly anticipated third year. Set to take place on Oct. 5 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, this event welcomes businesses of all sizes and industries to discover the opportunities of doing business with the state.
Mark your calendars for Oct. 5 and stay tuned for further information.
Helpful tip
Statewide 0133/1025/1050 Create an Event
The State of Oklahoma began to pursue strategic partnerships via the rolling RFP process, which currently allows agencies to submit a request via the OMES online portal when the need arises.
The request will be vetted by an internal team at which time an approval will be granted or denied. Once approved, the agency will get a list if suppliers that they can reach out to with a Statement of Work to determine the best fit for their need.
Once a supplier is selected the agency will submit an ePro request for internal (non-IT) approvals and external (IT) approvals.
Articles and resources
Recognizing excellent service
Richard Williams, Agency Acquisitions Supervisor
I began working for OMES Central Purchasing in 2014 as the state travel manager, and then took a position as a contracting officer in 2015.
In 2020, I was promoted to Agency Acquisitions supervisor, where I have had a great team to supervise, and they make it a joy to come to work every day. I currently live in Moore, Oklahoma, with my wife.
