Dictionary of Procurement Terms

A certification issued to qualified individuals by the National Contract Management Association.

A certification issued to qualified individuals by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM). The CPSM designation is an enhanced designation for supply management professionals and replaces the former Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) designation.

A designation offered by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council to procurement professionals responsible for performing essential functions within the procurement cycle (but who may or may not have management or supervisory responsibilities) who have demonstrated prescribed levels of professional competency in the field of public procurement.

A designation issued by the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC)— before PMAC and Supply Chain & Logistics Association Canada (SCL) became the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA)—to those who have achieved specified professional qualifications. The C.P.P. has been replaced by the Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation.

A designation offered by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council to procurement professionals in leadership and management positions who have demonstrated prescribed levels of professional competency in the field of public procurement.

A designation no longer available that was offered by the Institute of Supply Management to individuals who demonstrated prescribed levels of professional competency in the field of public procurement. Those already designated as a C.P.M. may apply for recertification or lifetime recertification.

An organization's structure that delineates a line of responsibility from the top position to the bottom, clarifying the reporting hierarchy for each employee.

A contract clause that specifies the parameters of contract modifications that can be made.