The Newton County School System (NCSS) has been awarded the prestigious 21st Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award for 2016 from the National Purchasing Institute (NPI). The award recognizes excellence in procurement by measuring organizations against standardized benchmarks that represent best practices within the profession. These criteria include innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership. The NCSS was one of four school systems in Georgia and one of only 25 school systems throughout the United States and Canada to receive the award for 2016. This is the fifth consecutive year the NCSS Procurement Department has received the AEP Award.

“The Newton County School System takes selection and purchasing of services and products very seriously,” said Dr. Craig Lockhart, deputy superintendent for Newton County School System. Our schools need high quality resources and our taxpayers can rest assured that we exercise the highest standard of professional judgement in the area of procurement. We are very proud of our entire procurement team.”

“Our team is a real source of inspiration to me,” said Greg Goins, procurement coordinator for the school system. “For five years they have been recognized nationally as AEP award winners, yet every week I watch them work to improve our processes, output and our results. With wide ranging responsibilities from the acquisition of goods and services, to analysis and advice and to the disposition of surplus and inventory, this team plays a critical, strategic role within the organization.”

“Receiving this award for five consecutive years reflects the dedication of the procurement team to continuously improving and ensuring procurement processes are conducted in a fair, transparent, and efficient manner,” added Michael Barr, executive director of operations for the school system.

In addition to NPI, the AEP is sponsored and recognized by over a dozen professional public procurement associations and organizations, including the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), and the National Institute of Governmental Procurement (NIGP).