IG announces pilot program to offer free procurement training to cities, towns

During the Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts annual meeting on June 15 in Boylston, Inspector General Jeff Shapiro offers a preview of a new pilot program for public procurement training.

On June 22, Inspector General Jeffery Shapiro announced a pilot program, called One Free Designee, offering core public procurement training at no cost to every municipality in Massachusetts.

In fiscal 2024, the Office of the Inspector General will offer each municipality free tuition (valued at nearly $1,900) for the three classes required for one employee to receive the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official designation. Additionally, the OIG is waiving the $100 fee associated with all designation applications and renewals.

To enroll an employee in the free training, the chief municipal officer (mayor, manager/administrator or select board chair) must complete an online form indicating the employee to receive the training and acknowledging that the cost of the training is an obstacle to obtaining the designation.

Shapiro said increasing the number of new Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Officials designees “is core to the mission” of his office “to prevent fraud, waste and abuse of public resources.”

“The MCPPO designation provides public employees with a better understanding of the complexities of Massachusetts procurement law and best practices,” he said, adding that he seeks to “remove barriers to training” and position his office “as a resource and a partner in good government.”

Upon completion of the three core courses, an employee can apply for the MCPPO designation, which is a widely recognized credential indicating knowledge of Massachusetts procurement laws and best practices.

The OIG plans to release the fall class schedule, along with the form to participate in One Free Designee, in the coming weeks.

The OIG has offered training on public procurement laws to state and local employees for more than 25 years. In May, the office published the latest edition of “The Chapter 30B Manual: Procuring Supplies, Services and Real Property,” which is available as a PDF in the MMA’s online Resource Library.