WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is home to approximately 1,253 professional public purchasers who are employed by nearly 250 public entities comprised of cities, counties, towns, state agencies, colleges, universities, public schools, hospitals, political subdivisions, authorities, and community service boards throughout Virginia; and,

WHEREAS, both Virginia Association of Governmental Procurement (VAGP) and Capital Area Purchasing Association (CAPA) are dedicated to providing their members with educational and networking opportunities, technical advice and assistance, highlighting best practices in government, and steadfastly promoting professionalism and high ethical standards in the procurement practice. CAPA, a large chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, represents approximately 250 professional public purchasers from more than fifty-five public entities in the Virginia Capital Region; and,

WHEREAS, the procurement and materials management profession, with an aggregate purchasing power of billions of dollars, has a tremendous impact on the economy; and,

WHEREAS, procurement and materials management professionals work diligently to establish and maintain ethical standards in buying and selling in order to increase knowledge of efficient procurement methods, disseminate useful information to members, and promote professionalism in public purchasing; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to procuring goods and services, procurement and materials management professionals engage in or have direct responsibility for executing, implementing and administering contracts, developing forecasts, procurement strategies and efficient supply chain management systems, supervising and monitoring the flow and storage of materials, and developing collaborative partnerships with suppliers; and,

WHEREAS, public procurement professionals contribute positively to our Commonwealth’s public agencies and services by improving procurement methods and practices and by using new technology to increase efficiency and improve processes;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize March 2022 as PUBLIC PURCHASING MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.