{"id":4442,"date":"2022-10-11T14:24:06","date_gmt":"2022-10-11T18:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dgs\/?p=4442"},"modified":"2022-10-11T14:24:08","modified_gmt":"2022-10-11T18:24:08","slug":"maryland-department-of-general-services-concludes-the-first-certified-maryland-procurement-officer-green-purchasing-specialist-program%ef%bf%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dgs\/2022\/10\/11\/maryland-department-of-general-services-concludes-the-first-certified-maryland-procurement-officer-green-purchasing-specialist-program%ef%bf%bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Department of General Services Concludes the First Certified Maryland Procurement Officer Green Purchasing Specialist Program\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DGS\u2019 Office of State Procurement Presents Certifications to 19 Graduates for Green Purchasing <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

BALTIMORE, MD<\/b> \u2013 The Maryland Department of General Service (DGS) today held a graduation ceremony for 19 Certified Maryland Procurement Officers (CMPO), from 11 state agencies, receiving their Green Purchasing Specialist certifications. Today\u2019s graduates are the first class of CMPO Green Purchasing Specialists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe procurement process is ever-changing and the information provided in these certifications programs helps our procurement officers grow a better understanding of the changes allowing them to enhance Maryland\u2019s procurement efficiencies,\u201d said DGS Secretary Ellington E. Churchill. \u201cDGS has always been committed to saving energy, reducing operating costs, and creating a healthier planet. What better way to do that than buying green.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The CMPO Green Purchasing Specialization is an 8-contact hour certification offered through the Maryland Procurement Academy to Maryland State procurement professionals who have successfully completed the CMPO certification and want to gain a deeper knowledge of environmentally preferable or \u201cgreen\u201d purchasing practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This specialization consists of four live 2-hour training sessions, and weekly assignments. Candidates must attend each live session and participate in group activities and discussions. Finally, candidates must synthesize their knowledge and pass a final assessment before earning their Green Purchasing Specialist certification.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis specialization is for our top certified State Procurement Officers to be leaders in their agencies in understanding and conducting environmentally preferable procurements,\u201d said the Office of State Procurement\u2019s Chief Procurement Officer Michael Zimmerman. \u201cThis will allow them to lead others in the state to procure products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The department trained and certified 19 procurement professionals from 11 state agencies and programs across the state including:<\/span><\/p>\n