The Division of the State Chief Information Officer (CIO) is pleased to announce the creation of a new program, the Virtual Procurement Program, designed to assist State agencies, cities, counties and school districts with a variety of procurement functions.

The new program, offered through the CIO's Information Technology Management Office (ITMO), provides agencies with assistance through a number of procurement related services including, but not limited to the following:

• Provide a Virtual Agency Procurement Director – In the absence of a procurement director, ITMO can assign a procurement manager to assume the role of  director until the position is filled or the director returns to work.
• Provide a Virtual Agency Information Technology Acquisitions Manager – In the absence of a procurement manager (buyer), ITMO can assign a procurement manager to assume the role of buyer until the position is filled or the buyer returns to work.
• Conduct the Solicitation and Award of a Single Information Technology Project – In the event an agency has a procurement that it does not wish to handle, due to staffing or skill level reasons,  ITMO can assign a procurement manager to the project. 
• Assistance in the Solicitation and Award of a Single Information Technology Project – In the event an agency has a procurement with which it needs assistance, but still wishes to be involved in the process, ITMO can assign a procurement manager to assist in the procurement.
• Provide Consultation Regarding Information Technology Acquisitions – When expertise is required for a specific procurement, a procurement manager with that specific expertise can be assigned to assist.
• Provide Consultation Regarding Public Procurement Process and Procedures Review – A procurement manager can be assigned to explain the public procurement process and procedures to the extent needed.
• Review Information Technology Acquisition Processes and Procedures – A procurement manager can be assigned to review your processes and procedures as well as to make recommendations.
• Provide On-Site Training for Information Technology Buyers – On-site training can be provided for technology buyers to the extent required.

Rates for the use of a Virtual Procurement Manager range from $84 per hour for work performed from CIO offices to $79 per hour for work performed at the customer's site. For work performed at a customer's site, travel, lodging and per diem may be billed at the State rate in addition to the hours worked.

For more information regarding the Virtual Procurement Services, or if you would like for a presentation to be made at your agency, please contact Tammy Cash via e-mail or telephone at (803) 239-8513.