August 30, 2019

2019 Statewide Procurement Conference Registration Now Open

We are pleased to announce that registration for the fourth annual Wisconsin Statewide Procurement Conference is now open! The conference will be held on Thursday, November 7 at the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibition Hall in Madison, Wisconsin. This year’s theme, “Procurement in Partnership,” will be highlighted throughout the event and attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, attend interesting workshops and be the first to hear the winners of the 2019 Procurement Innovation Awards!

The discounted Early Registration rate of $30 is available through October 4; Late Registration ($45) is available from October 5 through October 18, or until space is filled. For full conference details, including conference agenda, workshop descriptions and registration instructions, see the 2019 Procurement Conference Brochure and the Procurement Conference website. Contact Jessica Vieira at (608) 266-5452 with questions about the conference.

 

New State Procurement Manual is LIVE!

On August 15, 2019, the new, revised State Procurement Manual was posted! The effective date of the new Manual is September 16, 2019 and the State Bureau of Procurement is hosting several training sessions to help agencies and campuses manage the change over the next month. The new Manual features 73 official policies (down from 141 active policies in prior Manual), new forms, tools and website. While the number of policies in the new Manual has decreased, nothing has changed as it relates to our core principles: the importance of ethics, impartiality, and the traditionally high standards of Wisconsin public procurement to promote competition, integrity, consistency and openness. In the coming days, the Bureau will publish special editions of the newsletter with information related to the changes contained in the new Manual. We appreciate the work and patience of the agencies and campuses as we worked together toward completing this project!

 

Training Opportunities

Strategic Sourcing Classes Offered in September. The next round of in-person STAR Strategic Sourcing classes has been scheduled for Friday, September 20 at the Department of Administration building in downtown Madison.

Before being granted access to use the Strategic Sourcing module in PeopleSoft, users are required to complete three classes: one computer-based introductory course and two instructor-led classes. Interested students should sign up for all three classes by searching for “PRO308” in ELM. Because of the prerequisites, students should register for the classes in the following order:

  • PRO308: Introduction to Strategic Sourcing (eLearning)

  • PRO308: Strategic Sourcing – Creating an RFB and RFP (September 20, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)

  • PRO308: Strategic Sourcing – Score and Award (September 20, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

The instructor-led classes provide students with hands-on experience using the Strategic Sourcing module and are taught by SBOP staff who regularly use the system themselves. Space is extremely limited – sign up soon! If you have questions about the classes, please contact Jessica Vieira at (608) 266-5452.

 

Supplier Forms Changes

Supplier Maintenance Forms must now be downloaded from the STAR “My Support Requests” Forms Library. Individuals without access to STAR or without the necessary security roles required to make a request within STAR will need to contact their agency’s requestor. These forms were previously available through the State Controller’s Office website and include the Change Direct Deposit (DOA-6456), Supplier Address Change (DOA-6457), Change of Supplier Name (DOA-6458), Supplier Tax Number Change (DOA-6459) and New Supplier Information (DOA-6460) forms.

 

Contract Spotlight

Electrical and Plumbing Maintenance, Repair and Operating Supplies (MRO). The Electrical & Plumbing Maintenance, Repair & Operating Supplies (MRO) contract (505ENT-M18-ELCPLSUPLS-00) entered its first renewal period beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. In addition, Viking Electric will issue a price increase effective September 11, 2019 in response to increases in the cost of raw materials and recently enacted tariffs. Please contact Jim Oleson at (608) 266-1625 with any contract questions.

Managed Fleet Vehicle Maintenance Services and Accident Management. The Managed Fleet Vehicle Maintenance Services and Accident Management contract (505ENT-M15-VEHICMAINT-01) has been extended through December 31, 2019 to allow time for completion of solicitation RFB #28318 and resulting contract. Please contact Leann McGowan at (608) 266-8024 with any contract questions.

Data Entry Services. The Data Entry Services contract (505ENT-M18-DATAENTRYS-00) has entered its final renewal period beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Please contact Andrew Shuck at (608) 266-1558 with any contract questions.

Hazardous Wastes Services. The Hazardous Wastes Services contract (505ENT-M15-HZRDSWSTSV-01) has been extended through September 30, 2019 and may be extended an additional three months, for a final expiration of December 31, 2019. Please contact Jeannie McCarville at (608) 264-9590 with any contract questions.

Solid Waste and Recycling Services for the South Central Wisconsin Area. The Solid Waste and Recycling Services for the South Central Wisconsin Area contract (505ENT-M16-SLDWSTRMVL-00) has entered the final renewal period beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Please contact Jeannie McCarville at (608) 264-9590 with any contract questions.

Propane/LP Gas - Statewide. The State Bureau of Procurement recently finalized a Request for Bid process to award a contract for Propane/LP Gas - Statewide (505ENT-M20-PROPANESVC-00) to eight suppliers. The initial term of the contract is July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021 with yearly options to renew through June 30, 2024. Please contact Jeannie McCarville at (608) 264-9590 with any contract questions.

Model Year 2019 or Newer Passenger, Law Enforcement & Light Duty Trucks. The Model Year 2020 Vehicle Procurement Memo was sent out on June 14, 2019. To be added to the distribution list, please contact Leann McGowan at (608) 266-8024.

Lamp, Ballast, Mercury Containing Equipment and Battery Recycling and PCB Disposal Services. The Lamp, Ballast, Mercury Containing Equipment and Battery Recycling and PCB Disposal Services contract (505ENT-M15-LMPBLLSTR-01) has been extended through September 30, 2019. Please contact Jeannie McCarville at (608) 264-9590 with any contract questions.

 

Be Aware of Fraud

Procurement is an area that has been the target of fraudsters. To prevent fraud, SBOP has some tips for you to be aware of:

  • If you receive a large shipment that you did not order, you should be concerned this could be fraud.

  • Contact the Contractor Account Rep for any returns to make sure the return is not part of a fraud attempt. The vendor’s contract information will be listed on the contract (you can search for the applicable contract on VendorNet). You may also contact the contract manager with any concerns.

  • If you are contacted by email, pay close attention to the email address. Fraudsters will try to closely mimic an email address, but you should be able to spot the difference. For example, the CDW-G address is "@cdwg.com", but the fraudsters may use "@CDW-llc.com".

  • Check the shipping label for the return. Fraudulent return labels typically do not include the company name in the Ship To Address.

  • Be suspicious of messages marked Rush or Urgent Response Required. Often fraudsters create a sense of urgency in order to get you to make a poor decision. This may be noted in the email’s subject line, within an emailed message or it may be communicated during a phone conversation.

  • Pay attention to the language and grammar used in emails, especially if it is requesting a return of merchandise. Often fraudulent messages include typos, spelling errors or are written in all capital letters.

  • Look closely at the email’s signature block. Legitimate vendors often include a link to the company’s website, a company logo and/or a toll-free phone number.

The Department of Administration takes a proactive approach and works with law enforcement to prevent, detect and investigate fraud attempts. If you experience similar issues or have any questions related to vendor contracts, please contact (608) 266-2605 or doawispro@wisconsin.gov.

 

Strategic Sourcing: Tips and Tricks

Bidder Email Addresses: When sending Bidder Communications, such as clarification letters through the Strategic Sourcing module, pay close attention to the email addresses used by the bidders. It’s possible that the email address the bidder provided on the Bidder Required Form was different than the one they used to register with (which is the one that would automatically populate through the system). If the email addresses do not match, you can add the address provided on the Bidder Required Form by selecting the “Add Email” link in the “Bidders” box on the upper right side of the window. This function will allow you to add any email, not just an email that is attached to a Bidder ID.

Looking for additional resources for Strategic Sourcing? STAR agencies can access a variety of job aids, tools and resources on STARConnection (STAR Connection > Resources > Finance and Procurement > Job Aids > Search for “Strategic Sourcing”). If you would like to share a Strategic Sourcing tip or trick you’ve learned, please email your ideas to Jessica Vieira.

 

WISBuy

Improved WISBuy Catalog Organization. WISBuy users have noticed an updated look to the catalog display since mid-July. Instead of organizing catalogs based on contract number, they are now grouped with other catalogs that sell similar items. For example, users can now find the Office Supplies tab containing catalogs for paper, pens, toner, headsets and general office supplies. For questions related to this improvement, please reach out to Ann Hommer at (608) 261-7014.

New Remanufactured Toner Supplier. Shoppers have another catalog to choose from when shopping for remanufactured toner: The Office Pal. While their WISBuy punchout is being built and tested, shoppers can link to The Office Pal’s website from their sticker in WISBuy. Since this link will take shoppers outside of WISBuy, users will need to create an account with the supplier until the punchout is finalized. Please contact Ann Hommer at (608) 261-7014 with questions about WISBuy.

 

Staffing Updates

Travis Messerschmidt joined SBOP July 8 as a Procurement Specialist in the Enterprise IT Sourcing Section. Travis comes to DOA most recently from Trachte Building Systems where he worked as a Delivery & Site Coordinator. In his role at Trachte, Travis negotiated with various suppliers to coordinate delivery of buildings to substations. This coordination involved analyzing historical data, negotiation with suppliers and examining estimates to ensure completeness and accuracy. Travis has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Nathan Wardinski joined SBOP July 22 as a Knowledge Management Specialist in the Knowledge Management, Improvement and Training (KIT) Section. Nathan comes to DOA most recently from the Department of Corrections as a Communication Operator and at Madison College as a Writing Instructor. He also volunteers to produce a weekly radio program for the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations. Nathan will have two main focuses in KIT: assisting with the development of eLearning modules and establishing a knowledge management framework for SBOP. Nathan received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and his Master of Fine Arts from Minnesota State Mankato.

Cathy Neidner accepted the position of Consolidated Agency Purchasing Services (CAPS) Section Chief in the State Bureau of Procurement beginning Monday, August 5. Cathy has nearly eight years of public procurement experience with the Bureau and over thirteen years of experience with procurement in private industry. In her time with the Bureau, Cathy grew in her role as a Procurement Specialist managing some of our highest spend contracts (e.g., office supplies, furniture), improving category management strategies and continually looking for better ways to serve the customers of her contracts. Cathy has become a leader in the Bureau for some of our most important work, writing Governor’s case letters for waivers, serving as a trainer for our classes and most recently as a lead worker for the Enterprise Sourcing section. Cathy also has significant experience as a procurement practitioner, running many RFPs and bids for some of our most complex categories. She is a consistent volunteer for special projects, leading the Division through its readiness efforts during the initial STAR implementation, becoming a trainer for various procurement modules of STAR, and many other important Bureau initiatives. When we recruited for the next CAPS section chief, who also serves as the delegated purchasing director for DOA and all CAPS agencies, we sought someone with a depth of procurement knowledge who will uphold the longstanding values of CAPS as a customer-oriented, problem-solving service provider. It is her experience and dedication to continual improvement, superb customer service, training and strategic communication that made Cathy a standout candidate for this position. We have every confidence that Cathy will bring the value and leadership needed to fill this role.