Message from the Director of Purchasing

The level of service provided by the Purchasing Division remains dynamic and fluid, moving forward at a rapid pace. 

The various programs that the Purchasing Division administers are vital to Broward County Government.  We solicit various types of construction contracts, both vertical and horizontal, procure commodities and services used by our client agencies, dispose of surplus property and maintain a hurricane locker of supplies that may be required during an emergency event. 

The Purchasing Division has advanced several process improvements over the past year with significant progress being realized that made the procurement process more effective and efficient.  Our focus was to advance improvements to the procurement process through more active involvement with our clients and customers to gain a better understanding of their needs and to advance more technology initiatives while implementing programs that increased efficiency, lowered costs, and explored green initiatives to create a positive effect on the environment.  During Fiscal Year 2008 the Purchasing Division:

• Achieved a cost savings of $6,879,033 through process improvements
• Processed  71,284 procurement actions totaling $604,138,292
• Awarded $63,015,802 directly to Broward County certified businesses; an increase of 6.7% from Fiscal Year 2007
• Realized through surplus sales a total of $741,956
• Maintained full accreditation by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and the recipient of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Public Procurement
• Received the 2008 Award for Excellence in Public Procurement from the Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers
• Maintained high level purchasing professionals on staff with 61% of purchasing agents Certified as Professional Public Buyers and Professional Public Officers through the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.

This report will share with you the major activities and events which have occurred. We hope that you find this report to be informative.  Please let me and my staff know if we can be of assistance to you.

Brenda J. Billingsley
Director