Course

NIGP-CPP Module A Prep

Name: NIGP-CPP Module A Prep
Author: NIGP

Date: 02/19/2025
Start Time: 9:00 AM Eastern Time
End Time: 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Kirk W. Buffington, MLS, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, FNIGP, MBA, C.P.M.
Director, (RETIRED), Finance, Risk Management, Procurement
Mr. Kirk W. Buffington, MLS, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, FNIGP, MBA, C.P.M.
kirk.buffington@att.net — Phone: 954-608-7455
Professional Certification(s) obtained: FNIGP, CPPO, C.P.M., NIGP-CPP Experience: Kirk Buffington retired in June 2019 from the City of Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he had spent the last five years as Director of Finance, Risk Management and Procurement. Services. Before serving in that capacity, he served the City as Deputy Director of Finance, Director of Procurement Services, and Deputy Director of Administrative Services. Before coming to the City of Fort Lauderdale, Kirk was the Purchasing Agent for Osceola County, FL. In addition, Kirk has purchasing experience with the Orange County School Board, as a Grocery Buyer with the Wal-Mart Corporation, and as a Receiving Supervisor with the Walt Disney World Co. Kirk has a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida State University and an M.B.A. from Webster University, St. Louis, MO, with a concentration in Procurement and Acquisitions Management. In August 2023, he received a Masters in Legal Studies (M.L.S.) from the University of Cincinnati Law School. Kirk has also completed the Cornell University's certification program in Cybersecurity Leadership. Mr. Buffington served as President of the Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers and was elected to the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) Board of Directors in July 2003, and served as President of NIGP from 2008-2009. Kirk received the 2013 Distinguished Service Award, the second-highest honor bestowed upon individuals by NIGP in the public procurement profession. In August 2023, Kirk became a Fellow of NIGP. In addition to his activities with NIGP, Mr. Buffington has also served the National Purchasing Institute, NPI, on their Selection and Evaluation Committee for the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award. Kirk was chair of the NIGP FORUM Selection Committee, Mr. Buffington co-authored the NIGP LEAP text “The Legal Aspects of Purchasing,” now in its third edition, and has published numerous articles in the NIGP Tech Bulletin and various articles concerning Procurement Case Law both in local news blogs and in nationally peer-reviewed academic journals. He currently authors the Legally Speaking blog for NIGP. Kirk has been an NIGP Instructor for over twenty years and has taught numerous classes on multiple topics in those twenty years. His specialties include PCard adoption and usage, legal and compliance issues, business and finance-related topics and issues, risk management, and strategic planning.
Level: Advanced Practitioner
Format: Virtual Instructor-Led
Contact Hours: 8
CEUs: 0.8

This course reviews the same competencies that are evaluated in the NIGP-CPP certification exam by providing activities and discussions to help you apply what you have learned to real-world scenarios. However, this course alone cannot fully prepare you for each competency and situation that is covered in the comprehensive exam, as the exam takes into account the entirety of your education and practical experience. Individuals should enroll in this prep course at least six months prior to their scheduled test date to provide sufficient time for independent review and study. Please note that participation in this course does not guarantee success on the NIGP-CPP certification exam.

Pricing:

NIGP-CPP Module A Prep (Standard) $195.00
(prices valid until Feb 17, 2025)

Spots available: 18

Objectives

Course Outline:

The NIGP-CPP Module A Prep Course reviews the following competency statements:

Create Procurement's strategic goals, objectives, and policies in alignment with the entity-wide strategic plan.
Manage Efficiency and effectiveness in achievement of Procurement's mission
Engage the legislative process to further procurement interest
Ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations from the various branches and levels of government
Create, implement, and maintain fair, accessible, and transparent policies and procedures that align entity behaviors, priorities, and professional procurement values
Analyze information from multiple sources to create a procurement plan to meet the overall entity's goals
Analyze current market trends and the impact on procurement planning
Use procurement priorities and best value considerations in addition to cost, price, and spend analysis methods to inform decisions
Assess risk and implement appropriate risk management approaches
Determine most advantageous sourcing, solicitation, and award method
Determine the most favorable contract structure and content
Manage all stages of the selection process (from receipt of requisition to award)
Develop a negotiation strategy that maximizes advantages for all involved
Manage a protest consistent with the law and the entity's policies.
Establish policies and procedures for contract administration
Establish policies and procedures to promote acceptable contract performance
Establish policies and procedures to address contract performance issues
Create and foster a professional, ethical culture
Recruit, hire, develop, retain, and promote procurement professionals
Select and implement technology to further procurement goals

Intended Audience

This offering is targeted to individuals who meet or exceed the following professional demographics: 

Mid-level public procurement and central warehouse professionals who serve as senior buyers, managers, directors, or equivalent functions within their respective entities.  
Non-procurement managers and supervisors who either provide procurement functions that support entity programs under delegated authority, or who already have a good understanding of basic procurement principles but wish to get more in-depth, hands-on training.  
Professionals who are employed by local governing entities and special authorities (such as K-12 and higher education, publicly owned utilities, transportation providers, and other publicly funded or created entities) who either serve within or manage the procurement function.

Supplier managers and supervisors seeking to understand the public procurement function from a more in-depth holistic level, including the policies, standards, and procedures by which public entities must function.

Completion Requirements

In order to successfully complete this course, learners must:

Attend and participate in the entirety of the instructional event
Complete all practice questions
Complete a post course evaluation

Miscellaneous

Payment Information

Register online with credit card
Register online and upload a Purchase Order
Register by fax and download the print & fax form

*FORM OF PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY REGISTRATION FORM FOR ORDER TO BE PROCESSED

Methods of Payment Accepted: Check (make checks payable to NIGP), Purchase Orders (via print and fax form or online), and Credit Cards (Master Card, Visa, and American Express).

If paying by check, please make check payable to NIGP and send payment to:
NIGP, Attn: Seminar Registration
440 Monticello Avenue Suite 1802
PMB 63452
Norfolk, VA 23510

Sessions

February 19, 2025

NIGP-CPP Module A Prep

February 19, 2025
NIGP-CPP Module A Prep

Cancellation Policy

Registration and payment must be received 24 hours prior to the course start date. After this time, registrations will be based on space availability.  A full refund, less a $75 administrative fee will be given for cancellations made in writing 31+ days prior to the seminar date by emailing RegistrationInfo@nigp.org. No refunds are given for cancellations received within 24 hours of the seminar start date. There are no refunds for no-shows. If the seminar is cancelled for any reason, NIGP's liability is limited to the registration fee only.

Attendee substitutions within the same agency may be done at any time with email notification to NIGP. If attending via scholarship, please provide documentation verifying the scholarship issuer's name and contact information in lieu of payment information.

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