Join TAPP and MTPPA in Nashville for two days of education, spirited discussion, and network-ing.

TAPP will meet on April 23-24 for its 2015 Spring Professional Development Conference. The conference will take place at the Holiday Inn Express Nashville-Downtown.

A 2-day NIGP class, sponsored by MTPPA, will precede the conference on April 21-22. Regis-tration will be available on the NIGP site soon.

The agenda is pending completion, but at-tendees can expect the usual high quality presentations from knowledgeable experts. Currently scheduled speakers or topics include:

The Project Management Institute—Project Management Overview

State Central Procurement Office—Smart Shop

Spikes Cavell—Savings and Spend Man-agement

Senator Ken Yager

TEMA—Emergency Management

Mark Mamatov, Attorney from Bass, Berry & Sims—Bonding Issues

Round Table Discussion

Carolyn Lazenby, Contractor’s Licensing Board

The conference will conclude on Friday with the TAPP General Membership Meeting.

Conference registration is $75 and is now avail-able via the TAPP website. Registration should be completed by April 8.

Hotel reservations can be made now. Reserve your room by March 22 to receive the confer-ence rate of $159.00 per night.

Reservations may be made at the Holiday Inn Express website, or you may call 877-HIE-STAY (433-7829) and request the “TN Assoc. for Pub-lic Purchasing” block to make your reservations over the phone.

Watch the tappnews.com website and your email inbox for more details!

TAPP to Meet in Nashville for Spring Professional Development Conference

West Tennessee “Division” Meets for Lunch ‘n’ Learn

Approximately 28 purchasing professionals from agencies in West Tennessee met for a Lunch ‘n’ Learn on January 6 at the MLGW Training Center in Memphis.

Attendees heard a presentation from Mike Caudill of the Ten-nessee Emergency Manage-ment Agency, who spoke to the group about emergency pur-

chasing requirements.

Lori Bryant, TAPP’s Immediate Past President, followed the presentation by leading a dis-cussion about how the West Tennessee purchasers could best be served by TAPP, and encouraging membership in TAPP. (See page 2 for a list of new members!)

The group decided to meet

quarterly for a lunch and learn or similar event, and TAPP will be sponsoring a 3-day NIGP class in Memphis in June. A small group also volunteered to organize future events. The next event is scheduled for March 25 at the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authori-ty’s Project Center. Watch the tappnews.com website for de-tails and registration.

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Upcoming Events

March 12-14—SparX, An NIGP Educational Event, Tampa, FL

March 25, 11:00 a.m.—West Tennes-see Lunch ‘n’ Learn, Memphis, TN

April 21-22—2-Day NIGP Class, TBA, Nashville, TN

April 23-24—TAPP Spring Professional Development Con-ference, Nashville, TN

June—3-Day NIGP Class, Memphis, TN

2015 Spring Conference to meet in Nashville, TN.

Tennessee Association of Public Purchasing Chapter of NIGP March 2015

Inside this issue:

Membership Mat-

ters

2

Reports to NIGP 3

NIGP Chapter Am-

bassadors

3

NIGP Individual

Award Nominations

3

Purchasing Month 4

Benchmarking

Surveys

5

Bills to Watch 6

NIGP Forum 5

Jozelle Booker, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Antwanette Bowles, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Stan Breeden, Maury County Public Schools

Cerita Butler, Shelby County Schools

Deborah Cairncross, City of Bartlett

Mahi Chambers, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

Barbara Crutchfield, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Bill Davenport, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

Teresa Everett, Loudon County Government

Misty Gaines, Maury County Public Schools

Larry Harper, City of Alcoa

Shelia Johnson, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Jonathan Lawshe, Shelby County Schools

Victoria Locklyn, Shelby County Schools

Carol Maines, Roane County Government

Sebastian Marion, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Annie Mathis, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Camela Mitchell, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Randy Orsby, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Tausha Rankin, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Shanikka Tate, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Davita Taylor, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority

Mack Walker, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

DaShena Watts, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Christin Webb, Memphis Light, Gas & Water

Cheryl Worley, Loudon County Government

TAPP is pleased to welcome the following new members this year.

Page 2

March

Lisa Tallman (Kingsport) 3/1

Gail Roppo (Hamilton Co.) 3/8

Dorothy Moss (Alcoa) 3/9

Susan Huskey (Loudon Co.) 3/29

Gary Williams (Memphis) 3/30

April

Boyce Evans (Knoxville) 4/19

May

Rita James (Metro DHA) 5/2

Lisa Piefer (Germantown) 5/7

Andrea Smith (Franklin Co.) 5/12

Debbie Dillon (Johnson City) 5/28

Are we missing your birthday? Log in to

tappnews.com and update your

membership profile.

Membership Matters

Comments, suggestions, and content for TAPP Lines are welcome and encouraged! Please submit any purchasing related stories, department successes, announcements, marriages, new babies or other information to lbryant@ci.collierville.tn.us.

Deadline for the next newsletter is June 1, 2015.

Down the Line

Recognitions Congratulations to Lynn Farnham (Roane County) and Penny Owens (City of Knoxville) for obtaining their CPPO Certification! This certification shows their professional competence and knowledge of the public procurement profession.

Are you a current NIGP member with experience as a lead-er or contributor in the chapter?

Do you enjoy meeting new people?

Are you a good public speaker?

NIGP is looking for volunteers to serve the Institute as Chapter Ambassadors. Chapter Ambassadors serve as links between NIGP and its chapters. Representatives from this area (Area 3—TN, KY, OH, IN, WV, MI, Ontario) would be responsible for:

Representing the Institute by conducting chapter visits on a yearly basis.

Encouraging chapter participation in the chapter awards program; additionally evaluating the program annually and serving as judges for the program.

Addressing and/or responding to any chapter issues that may arise.

Ensuring compliance of all requirements by chapters.

Keeping chapters abreast of Institute activities, offerings and resources.

Since this is the first term of service for this program, am-bassadors will serve either a 2– or 3-year term. Travel to chapter visits is paid by NIGP.

Applications and information are available on the NIGP website, www.nigp.org.

The application deadline is April 17, 2015

Do you work with a colleague who goes above and beyond? Recognize that person who has a commitment to their job in public procurement by nominating them for one of NIGP’s prestigious individual awards. NIGP has a 2-step award process, and nominations are due by April 1, 2015. If you know someone who would be a candi-date for any of the individual awards, or would like to nominate yourself, review the award eligibility, description and process requirements on the NIGP website. Applications may be submitted by an agency, co-worker, chap-ter affiliate or a self-nomination. Submit a nomination of a colleague to represent NIGP and the excellent pur-chasing talent we have here in Tennessee!

Awards for which nominations are being accepted include the following: Albert H. Hall Memorial Award Distinguished Service Awards Anne Deatherage Meritorious Service Award Manager of the Year Buyer of the Year

Volunteer to be a NIGP Chapter Ambassador

Nominate a Colleague for a NIGP Individual Award

Year-End Membership & Financials Reported to NIGP

Membership 2104:

National Members: 77

Chapter Only Members: 13

Total: 90

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Financial Report 2104:

Total Revenue: $7,751.00

Total Expenses: $6,487.00

Net Income: $1,264.00

Maximize Your Receipt of TAPP Emails

Most communications from the chapter will come from info@tappnews.com. To ensure you receive emails from TAPP, ask your IT department or email administrator to “white list” the following:

mail.newlinear.com (Chapter Manager’s mail server)

mail.tappnews.com (TAPP’s mail location on Chapter Manager’s server)

173.239.109.108 (the IP address of Chapter Manager’s server)

Governor Haslam issued a proclamation declaring March 2015 Purchasing Month in Tennessee. NIGP asks chapters and members to celebrate and proclaim the month of March as Procurement Month to acknowledge the important contribu-tions that procurement professionals play in ensuring the efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. This month pro-vides the opportunity to help educate elected officials, administrators, taxpayers and vendors about the procurement pro-cess and the admirable work you perform each day.

TAPP and NIGP urge you to find a way to celebrate purchasing month in your organization. Such as having your mayor de-clare “Purchasing Month” in your city or county; holding a vendor training session or a Purchasing Department open house. If you celebrate purchasing month in your entity, please let TAPP know by sending your event pictures, proclamations and activity descriptions to us at info@tappnews.com.

Governor Haslam Proclaims March “Purchasing Month in Tennessee”

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TAPP is beginning a series of benchmarking surveys for Tennessee public agencies intended to gather key public sector procurement data so that individual agencies have a structured way to compare their operations to those of other public procurement agencies in the state.

Survey results will focus on specific operating practices and processes, which allow individual agencies to compare and identify potential opportunities to improve operat-ing practices within their organization. The first survey for March will focus on profes-sional development and certification. Results will be made available in April on the TAPP website.

A new survey will post each month. Future surveys will focus on purchasing organization structure, procurement spend, thresholds, workload indicators, and other relevant public procurement data. Agencies are encouraged to have one repre-sentative from each agency complete this survey.

Watch your email inbox on March 9 for your individual link to this survey, which will be hosted on the TAPP website under the “Surveys” link.

TAPP Benchmarking Surveys

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TAPP’s Public Affairs committee has found sponsors for and is working to support House bill HB0702 and Senate bill SB0831, which will authorize local government entities hav-ing a centralized purchasing authority with full-time purchasing agents, to increase their threshold for public advertisement and competitive sealed bids up to $25,000. This will amend TCA Title 6, Chapter 56 and Title 12, Chapter 3. This gives the local agency the option to increase thresholds up to $25,000, but does not make it mandatory. The bill has been assigned to committee, where it awaits debate, amendment and approval.

Please see page 6 for a list of other bills that may be of interest to you to follow through the legislative process this year.

Legislative Update

Have you registered for the 2015 NIGP Forum? The early bird registration fee is available through April 30, 2015.

Join your colleagues in Kansas City, Missouri for the 70th Annual NIGP Forum August 1-5 for an exciting conference that allows you to gain certification points, networking contacts and great ideas and skills. The conference includes more than 60 educational sessions to choose from, a chance to visit with vendors at the Prod-ucts Expo, and the opportunity to learn from subject matter experts and inspiring speakers.

Register at http://nsite.nigp.org/forum15/home. This site also details the infor-mation you need to attend this conference, including hotel registration links and pre-conference NIGP course options.

New this year: Forum scholarship opportunities for young public procurement profes-sionals or new public procurement professionals.

Registration Available for NIGP Forum

HB0084/SB0095

General Services, TN Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes public institutions of higher educa-tion and the department to participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer cooperative purchasing agreements with other states or local governments for the procurement of certain goods or services; revises the protest process for challenging a solicitation, award, or proposed award of a state contract; revises provisions governing authorized limitations of liability in certain state contracts. - Amends TCA Title 12, Chapter 2, Part 1; Title 12, Chap-ter 3, Part 5 and Title 12, Chapter 3, Part 7.

HB0085/SB0096

Public Contracts - As introduced, authorizes internet publication of advertisements seeking to lease space for use of a state agency; in-creases from $25,000 to $50,000 the amount of a lease for which advertising is not required. - Amends TCA Title 12, Chapter 2, Part 1.

HB0251/SB0351

County Government - As introduced, authoriz-es the sale of hot mix asphalt, produced in a facility operated by any county, to municipali-ties located within the county and to any other county departments or entities located within the county. - Amends TCA Section 12-8-101.

HB260/SB0422

Purchasing and Procurement - As introduced, requires the department of education to pur-chase technology, Internet, Internet connectiv-ity, or e-learning services pursuant to a com-petitive purchasing process prescribed by an RFP. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 3, Part 3.

HB0261/SB0377

Purchasing and Procurement - As introduced, increases time the fiscal review committee may comment on noncompetitive contracts from 40 business days to 45 business days. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 56; Title 12; Title 41, Chapter 22 and Title 49, Chapter 3.

HB0437/SB0534

Municipal Government - As introduced, allows municipalities to publish public notices in

alternative forms, instead of publishing the notices in a newspaper of general circulation. - Amends TCA Title 6, Chapter 54, Part 5; Title 7 and Title 8.

HB0696/SB0589

Public Contracts - As introduced, requires that major procurement contracts entered into by the state with vendors disclose the obligation of the vendor and vendor's subcontractors to remit sales and use taxes on taxable sales in connection with the contract. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 12 and Title 67.

HB0702/SB0831

Purchasing and Procurement - As introduced, authorizes local government entity having centralized purchasing authority with full-time purchasing agent, by resolution or ordinance, to increase threshold for when public adver-tisement and sealed competitive bids are required in an amount not to exceed $25,000; allows municipal governing bodies to increase, by ordinance, the amount required for public advertisement and competitive bidding from maximum of $10,000 to maximum of $25,000. - Amends TCA Title 6, Chapter 56 and Title 12, Chapter 3.

HB0794/SB0630

Highways, Roads and Bridges - As introduced, permits a Tennessee bidder preference of 10 percent to be added to certain bids by Tennes-see businesses for contracts for certain state or locally funded mowing or maintenance projects. - Amends TCA Title 5, Chapter 14; Title 12, Chapter 4; Title 12, Chapter 3; Title 54, Chapter 5 and Title 54, Chapter 7.

HB0823/SB0978

Public Contracts - As introduced, increases, from $25,000 to $100,000, the threshold for public works projects that require a registered architect, registered engineer, or registered landscape architect. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 12 and Section 62-2-107.

HB0967/SB1081

Public Contracts - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee First Act." - Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 67.

HB1027/SB1370

Public Contracts - As introduced, enacts the "Public Construction Contractor Safety Act"; also requires the department of transportation to consider bidders' occupational safety and health record when awarding contracts. - Amends TCA Title 54, Chapter 5.

HB1045/SB0983

Municipal Government - As introduced, in-creases, from one to two, the minimum num-ber of municipalities authorized to enter into interlocal agreements with any county; in-creases from 30 days to 45 days, the time period in which nominations must be received by the department of economic and communi-ty development for nominees to the regional planning commission; makes various revisions to the law governing local government appor-tionment, planning, and annexation. - Amends TCA Title 5, Chapter 1; Title 6, Chapter 51; Title 6, Chapter 58; Title 7, Chapter 32 and Title 13, Chapter 3.

HB1066/SB0945

Municipal Government - As introduced, ex-tends prohibition on municipal officials and employees from purchasing surplus property from six months after leaving employment to one year after leaving employment. - Amends TCA Title 6 and Title 7.

HB1068/SB1027

Newspapers and Publications - As introduced, requires all legal notices required by statute to be published in a newspaper of general circu-lation to be posted on the administrative regis-ter web site within the secretary of state's web site by the entity required to post such notice. - Amends TCA Title 1.

HB1310/SB0585

Local Government, General - As introduced, increases, from six months to nine months, the period of time that a former county official or employee is prohibited from purchasing surplus county property after the expiration of the person's term of office or employment. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 16; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 50.

Bills to Watch—Tennessee 109th General Assembly—2015 Legislative Session

Page 6

To view these and other pending legislation, visit the General Assembly’s web site: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislation/

HB0702/SB0831 is the bill proposed by TAPP’s Legislative Committee for this year. At the time of publication, all bills had been assigned to committees.

TAPP Lines

209 Water St.

Johnson City, TN 37601

E-mail: info@tappnews.com

Tennessee Association of Public Purchasing Chapter of NIGP

The Tennessee Association of Public Purchasing is an affiliate chapter of NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement. TAPP is a non-profit association dedicated to pro-moting ethical, efficient and cost-effective public purchasing policies and practices; providing educational programs, products and services for public purchasing per-sonnel; enabling public purchasing personnel to exchange useful information about policies, practices, procedures, products and services of common interest; other-wise facilitating the conduct of purchasing activities by government and other pub-lic agencies; and assisting other charitable and educational organizations in the conduct of similar activities.

Visit our website: www.tappnews.com

2015 TAPP Board of Directors

President Lynn Farnham, CPPO, CPPB Roane County

(865) 717-4104 lynn.farnham@roanecountytn.gov

Vice-President Danny King, CPPB City of Columbia

(931) 560-1580 danny@columbiatn.org

Secretary Matt Myers, CPPO, CPPB Knox County

(865) 215-5750 matt.myers@knoxcounty.org

Treasurer Debbie Dillon, CPPO, CPPB City of Johnson City

(423) 975-2717 ddillon@johnsoncitytn.org

Immed. Past Pres. Lori Bryant, CPPB Town of Collierville

(901) 457-2253 lbryant@ci.collierville.tn.us

SUPPORT OUR CHAPTER!

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