We at Periscope Holdings feel privileged to be able to serve the public procurement community as custodians of the NIGP Code. As part of our efforts to provide the best product possible, we continue to invest in the NIGP Code. This 2010 Annual Report article provides a snapshot of our activities last year, including ongoing efforts and successes.

The NIGP Code remains one of the premier solutions for public sector procurement. It serves as a mechanism for managing master data (vendors, inventory, catalogs), and to enhance the ability of the organization to execute on strategic sourcing initiatives.

Our commitment to service includes:

• being responsive to the needs of public procurement with a target turnaround time for new codes of one business day;
• managing the NIGP Code to proactively respond to current market trends in products and services;
• developing tools and training to increase the benefits to NIGP Code users;
• working with agencies to identify waste and increase transparency via the use of the NIGP Code; and
• engaging with the procurement community in dialogue to ensure the continued success of the NIGP Code

Accomplishments for 2010

New users: New Britain, Conn; San Joaquin County, Calif.; New York City Fire Department; Webb County, Texas; North Las Vegas, Nev.; El Paso County, Texas; Washington Department of Labor and Industries; Washington State Department of Corrections; St. Cloud, Fla.; Pearland ISD, Texas; Nye County, Nev.; Fairfield City Council – Australia; Texas Education Service Center Region 16; Sacramento, Calif.; Western Washington University; Gulfport, Miss.; Tucson Unified School District; Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA)(Metrolink); New York City – Small Business Services; Cherry Creek School District No. 5 (Greenwood Village, Colo); San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta Public Schools; Indianapolis, Ind.; DuPage County, Ill.; Rochester, N.Y.; Ames, Iowa; Tulsa (Okla.) Public Schools ISD #1; Anne Arundel (Md.) Community College; Pierce County Library; and Marion County, Ind.

New codes: As part of our ongoing stewardship of the NIGP Code, we continue to add to the code base, primarily through code requests from users. The creation of new codes helps to ensure that the NIGP Code remains the most responsive codeset for procurement. In 2010, we added two 3-digit classes, 80 five-digit items; 4,651 seven-digit groups and 19,962 eleven-digit details.

Coding services: The NIGP Code services team works with code users to convert existing (legacy) code systems, inventory masters and contracts to the current NIGP Code from the 5- to the 11-digit levels. Our work has resulted in better visibility for inventory and transparency in reporting for Code users.

In 2010, we worked with the following agencies to help manage their master data:

• Metro Washington Airport Authority (Reagan and Dulles airports) inventory
• City of Houston, inventory and spend management
• Sandia Office Supply, coding their product catalog to the 5-digit NIGP Code
• Harris County, Texas
• City of San Antonio, coding their inventory to the 5-digit level, identifying a 5 percent reduction in obsolete items as part of the process
• Fairfax County, Va., inventory
• State of Washington, conversion of legacy coding structures, inventory and contract files
• State of Texas, Comptroller of Public Accounts
• State of Texas, Department of Transportation

Tradeshows. NIGP Annual Forum, NPI, Arizona Regional NIGP Conference and State of Washington NIGP tradeshow.

Marketing of the Code. A direct mail campaign promoted the 20th edition of the NIGP Code book. We continued to develop articles and case studies for the code to demonstrate its value to public procurement

Contribution to development of the profession. This year’s NIGP Essay contest launches with this article and runs through the end of March. Contestants are asked to describe, in 1,000 words or less, how the NIGP Code has added value in promoting diversity in spending by their organization. The winner receives a paid registration to the 2011 NIGP Forum and publication of their entry in GoPro magazine. Other contributions include delivery of conference seminars regarding the NIGP Code; training webinars for users of the NIGP Code to educate agencies on best practices related to the Code and master file management; and NIGP Code Boot Camps to develop implementation approaches and train end users regarding the NIGP Code.

We look forward to continued success in 2011. For more information on the NIGP Code, please visit www.nigp.com.

About the author

John Walters is president of NIGP Code Services at Periscope Holdings, the custodian of the NIGP Code on behalf of NIGP. He has been involved in public procurement since 1997 and has served as a consultant, trainer and speaker. Contact him at john@nigp.com