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Procurement Office Development
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NASPO’s Inaugural Supply Chain Case Competition

December 13, 2022 | by Megan Lancaster

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Engaging the next generations of public procurement professionals is more critical than ever as the role of procurement professionals continues to evolve. What better way to engage the next generation than challenging students to solve some of public procurement’s most significant challenges? And just like that, NASPO’s first public procurement case competition took shape.

In late October, NASPO’s inaugural case competition brought together Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs), procurement officials, academics, and undergraduate supply chain students from across the nation to Iowa State University, one of NASPO’s Academic Partners, in Ames, Iowa.

Thanks to the expertise of the judges, such as Thor Vue (CPO for Alaska), George Schutter (CPO for the District of Colombia), Allen Meyer (CPO for Iowa), and Mary Nelson (Buying Acquisitions Specialist for Minnesota), the students were peppered with questions about the viability of their solutions. By no means did the judges hold back, and by no means did the students’ answers disappoint. Teams were up for the challenge!

“NASPO’s 1st Supply Chain Case Competition was a phenomenal opportunity for students to gain the knowledge and understanding of a real-world emergency that our state members experienced. Through projects like these, we continue our efforts in elevating the public procurement profession as we open the minds of students to the public sector.”

Brandi Ann Willard, NASPO’s Director of Partnerships
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After two rounds of great presentations and questioning, Northeastern University took first place and won a prize of $4,000. Not far behind was Brigham Young University in second place, receiving a $2,000 prize, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in third place, receiving a $1,000 prize.

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However, the students were not the only winners. The event brought awareness to public procurement’s vital role in both students’ and academics’ lives. Although several universities hold supply chain management case competitions, this was the first focused on public procurement—making it a truly unique experience for everyone involved. The event also provided the opportunity for state CPOs and officials to talk about the work they are doing across the nation and recruit students for state positions.

Not only was this a way for undergraduate students to directly engage with public procurement officials and gain exposure to the field, the case study, which was researched and written by NASPO and served as the fact pattern for the competition, will be released as a new teaching tool for public procurement trainers and academics. Keep an eye out for announcements about the case study training tool and NASPO’s next student competition!

“Congratulations to the students, universities, and future employers who
benefited from this event. Thank you a million times over for making this
event possible, NASPO!”

Eric J. Smith, lowa State University Supply Chain Management Professor of Practice
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Check out some of the other ways NASPO’s Strategic Partners and Professional Development teams are getting out the word about public procurement:

  • NASPO’s State and Local Internship Program
  • NASPO’s Academic Event & Career Fair Calendar
  • NASPO’s Internship Toolkit

NASPO’s 2022 Case Competition Participants:

  • Auburn University
  • Brigham Young University
  • Lehigh University
  • Northeastern University
  • Ohio University
  • University of Kansas
  • University of West Florida
  • University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • Wayne State University
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