On Demand: Core Certificate: Foundations of Sourcing and Contracting

Upon successful completion of the certificate, the certificate holder will be able to:

• Identify the appropriate source selection method and describe the components required to successfully meet the needs of the end user.
• Identify advantages and disadvantages of contracting for commodities.
• Assist the end user in developing and preparing effective and open specifications, pricing strategies, and terms and conditions to promote maximum competition in the marketplace.
• Evaluate offers, make awards and/or negotiate an optimal contract solution.
• Identify and describe the different types of evaluation methodologies and their associated application.
• Explain the process of receiving, opening and analyzing offers, methods for award, and award strategies.
• Identify and select the most responsive offer(s) and responsible supplier(s).
• Prepare to conduct a negotiation by engaging in market research, determining negotiating strategy and goals, and selecting the negotiating team.
• Conduct and document negotiations with each selected offeror to determine the proposal that best meets entity needs.
• Establish a performance assessment plan to ensure that all stakeholders are complying with the procurement as established in the contract.

This offering is targeted to individuals who meet or exceed the following professional demographics:  

• Entry-level public procurement and central warehouse professionals who serve as assistants, coordinators, buyers, or equivalent functions within their respective entities.   

• Non-procurement managers and supervisors who are responsible for either the procurement function or staff who provide procurement functions under delegated authority.   

• Professionals who are employed by governing entities and special authorities (such as K-12 and higher education, publicly-owned utilities, transportation providers, and other publicly-funded or created organizations) that either serve within or manage the procurement function.  

• Suppliers or representatives of suppliers seeking to understand the public procurement function from a holistic level, including the policies, standards, and procedures by which public entities must function.