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The giving tree(s)

• 17th September 2013

Seattle pioneers free food for the hungry with the Beacon Food Forest.

On the green

• 17th September 2013

In some cities, golf cars—the industry name for what are often called “carts” —are becoming a preferred “get around town” method of transportation.

Problem solving, old school

• 17th September 2013

My brother and I always disagreed over politics. Being 16 years older than me, he had a job, kids and a mortgage while I was still giggling over dirty jokes in grammar school. When we hit the ‘60s, our differences became more heated and “philosophical.” For example, my brother was horrified that Vietnam War protesters […]

Tech-driven fire management

• 17th September 2013

Wildland fire sizes and duration are increasing each year and possible impacts, negative outcomes and potential losses are becoming more serious.

American City & County September 2013

• 2nd September 2013

In the September issue, American City & County goes high tech, exploring municipal WiFi, cloud use, and fire management.

Additionally, the issue highlights golf car cities, the food forest movement, and publisher Bill Wolpin discusses the plight of the middle class.

Government Procurement August/September 2013

• 1st September 2013

In the August/September issue, Government Procurement covers sustainability, spend analysis, and answers the ever-present question of why suppliers “No Bid.”

Staying on budget

• 28th August 2013

The public procurement profession has historically focused on how money is spent. That’s very logical. Since these folks purchase goods and services that represent 15 to 20 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in a given year, it only makes sense. We are talking about billions of dollars here.

Furnishing the future

• 28th August 2013

Unless purchasing specifications include requirements to protect indoor air quality (IAQ), office furniture can be one of the most significant contributors to indoor air pollution. The foam from seat cushions, the plywood and particleboard, the adhesives, the paints and finishes, and other materials used to make furniture can all release harmful chemicals into the office environment long after they are installed.

Professional services in a flash

• 28th August 2013

Strategic sourcing works wells with commodities, but procurement of professional services has historically been seen as not conducive to a strategic approach or to being combined across departments or agency lines. The theory goes that a need for professional services, defined as “work that is intellectual in character,” is specific to a given agency or department and not compatible with broader procurement strategies.

A case for achieving best value through PIPS

• 28th August 2013

Since 2009, the state of Oklahoma has been working as a research partner with Arizona State University’s Performance Based Studies Research Group (PBSRG) to use a form of best value procurement known as Performance Information Procurements Systems (PIPS). While strategic sourcing is the most recent “latest and greatest thing” in procurement, the PIPS approach to best value procurement has been championed and refined over 18 years by PBSRG founder, Dr. Dean Kashiwagi.