ART - NIGP Code 2009

The document is an article written by John M. Mahin, the Purchasing Manager of Johnson County, Kansas. The article discusses the challenges faced by public procurement departments in a recessionary economy and how Johnson County is using various tools and techniques to reduce the impact of the economic downturn. One of the most important tools mentioned is the use of NIGP Commodity Codes, which help the county understand spending patterns and trends and analyze their impact on purchasing. The article explains how the county uses the codes to track and consolidate similar procurement needs across multiple departments, allowing them to obtain better pricing through competitive bids. The author emphasizes the importance of combining departmental volumes for spend analysis, especially in restricted budget conditions. The article also mentions that Johnson County's Oracle system requires the selection of a Commodity Code for each requisition, and the county has customized the system to eliminate codes that do not fit their business needs. Overall, the article highlights the effectiveness of NIGP Commodity Codes in improving spend analysis and strategic sourcing for the county's procurement department.