As of 10/27/06
The Office of the Inspector General's Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) program enhances the capacity of public purchasing officials to operate effectively and achieve excellence in public procurement.
The MCPPO program is targeted to the needs of state and local jurisdictions and authorities.
Each participant who successfully completes a seminar receives a certificate. Public purchasing officials who complete requisite seminars and meet the educational and experience requirements become eligible to apply for various MCPPO designations. MCPPOs must maintain their knowledge and skills and document continuing professional education to achieve recertification every three years. The seminars have been designed to meet national and state standards for recognition.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY. THEREFORE, PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE FREQUENTLY FOR ADDITIONAL UPDATES.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ANSWER: Seminars are normally scheduled and posted on our website in July and December. The current schedule and registration form are available online.
ANSWER: The MCPPO program has a designated classroom in Boston. To ensure consistent participation by the host of presenters and in order to economically operate the training program, we do not offer MCPPO classes in other areas.
ANSWER: The MCPPO designation is widely recognized by local jurisdictions in Massachusetts as indication that you are familiar with Massachusetts procurement practices. Recipients of an MCPPO designation have successfully completed multiple choice examinations and have met experience and education requirements. Municipal job postings will often require MCPPO designation.
In addition, the new Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) regulations require that municipal employees who will be in charge of procurements for a school building project be designated as an MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting. [See MSBA regulations at 963 CMR 2.03(2)(o)] If you are currently designated as an MCPPO or an MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting, you are automatically qualified to perform under the MSBA regulations. A designation is valid for three years. If your designation is no longer valid, please visit our website at for more information on recertification.
ANSWER: There are currently six (6) designations: MCPPO, Associate MCPPO, MCPPO for Supplies and Services Contracting, Associate MCPPO for Supplies and Services Contracting, MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting, Associate MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting. To be eligible for any designation, the applicant must currently hold a public procurement position with a Massachusetts public entity. The designation level depends on education and public procurement experience. The different MCPPO designations and requirements are listed on the form for applying for certification.[PDF].
ANSWER: MCPPO certification requires successful completion of the prerequisite seminars, Public Contracting Overview or the Charter School Procurement seminar for charter school employees. In general, the MCPPO designation requires successful completion of the prerequisite seminar and either one or both of the other 3-day seminars, Supplies and Services Contracting and/or Design and Construction Contracting. In addition, there are education and experience requirements that must be met for MCPPO designations.
ANSWER: The MCPPO designations are available to individuals who have successfully completed the requisite classes, and have met certain experience and education requirements. There is an application process and a fee requirement.
ANSWER: Yes. Pursuant to Chapter 46 of the Acts of 1997, charter school administrators who serve as school procurement officers must attain a MCPPO certificate. (Horace Mann Charter school administrators who are responsible for procurement are also required to attain MCPPO certification). You must attend and successfully complete either the Public Contracting Overview seminar or the new Charter School Procurement seminar to meet this requirement and attain a certificate.
ANSWER: No. There is no requirement to be designated; the law requires that you receive certification that you have successfully completed either the Public Contracting Overview seminar or the new Charter School Procurement seminar.
ANSWER: Yes. Understanding uniform procurement practices of local jurisdictions is a sound investment and good insurance against unfair procurement practices. Vendors will receive a certificate of attendance.
ANSWER: Yes, but only if you plan to work on Massachusetts school building projects. The new Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) regulations state that: The Owner's Project Manager shall certify . . . that the individual directly in charge of the (school building) project is certified in the MCPPO Program as administered by the Inspector General. [See MSBA regulations at 963 CMR 2.11(12)] The MCPPO program is planning to offer this specific training beginning in early 2007. (For additional information on the MCPPO course for school construction projects, click here.
ANSWER: Yes, but only if you expect to be designing school building projects. The new Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) regulations state that: The Designer shall certify . . . that the individual directly in charge of the (school building) project is certified in the MCPPO Program as administered by the Inspector General. [See MSBA regulations at 963 CMR 2.12(6)] The MCPPO Program is planning to offer this specific training beginning in early 2007. (For additional information on the MCPPO course for school construction projects, click here.
REGISTRATION
ANSWER: To register for a class, download the registration form from our website and fax the completed registration form to 617.723.2334. Please register early as space is limited. You will receive written confirmation of your registration within 3-4 weeks of the seminar date. If you do not receive a confirmation, your name is automatically placed on the waiting list for the next scheduled date the class is offered.
ANSWER: No. You must receive confirmation, which you will receive within 3-4 weeks of the seminar date.
ANSWER: If there is no waitlist for this seminar you will receive confirmation within 3-4 weeks of the seminar date. If you have been notified of a waitlist for this seminar you will receive a confirmation once you are scheduled into a class, which will be sent or emailed within a month of that seminar date.
ANSWER: You will receive written confirmation 3-4 weeks prior to the class start date.
ANSWER: Yes. However, as indicated in your confirmation packet you must call our office at 617.727.9140 or you may notify the MCPPO director, by email at MCPPO@maoig.net, of your cancellation. The MCPPO director will make every attempt to admit you into the next scheduled class. This cannot be guaranteed due to a waitlist for admittance into certain classes.
ANSWER: Our seminars will only be cancelled if the governor has declared a state of emergency and closed state offices.
ANSWER: Public Contracting Overview is the prerequisite class for all MCPPO classes unless you are a Commonwealth charter school administrator responsible for procurement. If you are a Commonwealth charter school administrator responsible for procurement at your charter school you can attend either the Public Contracting Overview seminar or the new Charter School Procurement seminar.
ANSWER: Twenty-five (25) credits are required for recertification.
ANSWER: You are required to attend at least one of the following three seminars during the recertification period: Supplies and Services Contracting (17 credits), Design and Construction Contracting (17 credits), or Advanced Topics Update (14 credits).
ANSWER: Yes. In addition to one required MCPPO seminar, you may obtain recertification credits through other professional affiliations and training. Look under recertification on our website for examples of training that will qualify toward recertification.
ANSWER: The credits are valid for three (3) years.
ANSWER: No. You must keep track of your original designation date and apply for recertification every 3 years.
ANSWER: No.
ANSWER: Once the application is complete, please allow up to ninety (90) days to process.
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