Minnesota
named a top state for excellence in public contracting and purchasing
Governing ranks Minnesota as third best state in a nationwide review of procurement best practices and innovation.
SAINT PAUL —The national policy publication Governing has named the State of Minnesota’s purchasing and contracting programs among the nation’s very best. In Governing’s first ever survey of state procurement programs, Minnesota was ranked in the top three states for best practices and innovative solutions in general purchasing and information technology (IT) procurement.
The Minnesota Department of Administration (Admin) oversees the state’s purchasing of more than $2.2 billion in goods and services each year. Admin is responsible for ensuring that state contracting is both transparent and cost-effective. Additionally, the department has been leading state efforts to increase supplier diversity and environmentally-sustainable purchasing.
“Minnesota’s procurement policy is reflective of our
state's overall philosophy of governing – innovative, ethical, and
transparent,” said Administration Commissioner Matt Massman. “Our
team supports that strong tradition by emphasizing the fundamentals as well as
leading initiatives that provide greater access to minority, woman, or
veteran-owned businesses and drive environmentally-friendly purchasing.”
Governing specifically cited Minnesota’s initiatives
to promote greater diversity and inclusion in procurement:
“Some
states are using technology to help promote more diversity among suppliers.
Here, Minnesota has launched a unique effort to support and promote businesses
that reflect the makeup of the community. Last year Gov. Mark Dayton issued an
executive order establishing an Office of Equity in Procurement and a Diversity
and Inclusion Council to promote this goal. On recommendations made by the
council, the state now has representatives who conduct in-person recruiting of
minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses to bid on state contracts. The
procurement office is also developing an online portal where small businesses
can apply for all their minority certifications, with the goal of eliminating
the confusing paperwork many small businesses face when first working with the
state.”
“I applaud the Department of Administration for this tremendous recognition of their efforts to ensure that state government works better for all Minnesotans,” said Governor Dayton. “This top ranking is a testament to their work to ensure that businesses operated by veterans, women, and Minnesotans of color are well-represented in state contracts.”
Governing reviewed state
procurement processes noting that “[e]ffective procurement is at the heart of
government’s ability to deliver service and maintain the public’s trust.” The survey was developed
in collaboration with public procurement experts from around the country. The
Governing Institute rated states on the following criteria:
- Information
Technology Procurement
- Workforce,
Training, and Certification
- Use
of Technology
- Sourcing
- Contract
Administration
- Organizational
Structure and Authority
- Organizational
Culture and Leadership
- Pre-sourcing
and Procurement Planning
- Relationship
Management
- Performance
Measures
“This national recognition is affirmation
of our Better Government strategy to make state government more accountable,
and to provide better service to Minnesotans,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “The
Department of Administration’s award-winning procurement practices are making
state government more efficient and cost effective, thanks to the great work by
Minnesota's state employees. This award will inspire us to keep on working to
make state government work better for Minnesota.”
More
information on Governing’s procurement study can be found at: http://goo.gl/xKaArX.
Governing is
a publication covering politics, policy, and management for state and local government leaders. The publication
provides nonpartisan news, insight, and analysis on such issues as public finance,
transportation, economic development, health, energy, the environment,
and technology. The Governing Institute strives to
improve state and local government performance and strengthen public-sector
innovation, leadership, and citizen engagement. The institute advances better
performance and outcomes through research, decision support, and executive
education to help public sector leaders govern more effectively. More
information on the Governing Institute can be found at governing.com/gov-institute.
For additional information, contact:
Deputy Communications Director Adam Giorgi at (651) 201-2565 or Adam.Giorgi@state.mn.us
About the Minnesota
Department of Administration
The
Minnesota Department of Administration (Admin) provides best value
administrative services to Minnesota's state agencies and other governmental
organizations, as well as various other services to diverse audiences across
the state. The department was established in 1939 by Governor Harold Stassen as
part of an effort to reform state government’s administrative functions. Today,
the department strives to meet that mission and continues to act as a leader in
government administration and operations. With $176.5 million in annual
operating costs and 475 full-time employees, Admin oversees $2.1 billion in
state purchases, maintains 4.4 million square feet of owned space and leases an
additional 3.6 million square feet of space for over 100 state agencies, boards
and councils. The agency also insures $12 billion in property and 13,400
vehicles, and manages over 400 building projects and $166 million in capital
appropriations.
| 
