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About NASPO

NASPO is the nation’s leader in public procurement, driving excellence for its members through diverse programs, resources, and initiatives.

75 Years of NASPO 1944-Present First President

George Cronin was elected as the first president of NASPO on January 29, 1944. Legend has it that Major Cronin convened a number of officials in his Palmer House room to make his proposal. Reality suggests it may have been the hotel bar.

First Meeting

State purchasing officials met informally in Chicago, Illinois to plan strategies to ensure that state governments would receive a fair share of property distributed under the Surplus War Property Disposal Act of 1944. In their discussions, George Cronin, Massachusetts, urged the formation of an ongoing, formal organization of state purchasing officials as an effective vehicle to address specific public procurement and provide a network for resolving problems.

Western States Contracting Alliance Established

In 1993, the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA), formed through an agreement between the chief procurement officers from 15 western states.

First Website

NASPO goes online in 1996. Members could surf the internet for association news, publications, and the Database of Recycled Commodities.

First delegation to a foreign country

In October 1997, NASPO sent its first delegation to a foreign country. Several NASPO members went to Amsterdam to present to Dutch business officials on “how to do business with the states.”

NASPO Network launches

In 2011, the NASPO Network, an online community for members to ask questions, exchange information, and instantaneously share solutions was launched

NASPO ValuePoint formed

In 2013, NASPO formed a subsidiary, NASPO ValuePoint, to manage its multi-state cooperative purchasing on a national level. NASPO ValuePoint is an outgrowth of WSCA, as well as the cooperative procurement efforts by other NASPO regions.

Procurement U launches

In 2014, NASPO launched Procurement U, a comprehensive educational program created to deliver high-quality, low-cost training and resources to support the professional development and certification process for state procurement professionals.

75 Years of NASPO Book

NASPO strives to be the Strategic Partner for Public Procurement Solutions. This vision is born from the importance of procurement to effective government and the foundation of 75 years of leadership from our members.

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