CONTACT: Marguerite Elicone, melicone@portofsandiego.org

For the twelfth straight year, the Port of San Diego has been honored with the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award (AEP) by the National Procurement Institute. The Port is one of only 42 agencies in California and one of only 34 special districts in the United States and Canada to receive the award.

Now in its 25th year, the AEP awards program is designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement. The AEP is earned by organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership attributes of the procurement organization.

“The Port’s Procurement Services Department is a valued, integrated and ethical team committed to the highest standards of excellence in government practices,” said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “Their hard work consistently results in cost savings throughout the Port and this award validates our diligence as a public agency.”

The AEP award consists of 33 different criteria that required the Port’s Procurement Services Department to create narratives and surveys, gather data and provide up-to-date policies and procedures. As it has done in past years, the department worked throughout the year to collect all information and data that was necessary to meet and exceed the requirements.

The Port’s Procurement Services Department is responsible for the administration and execution of public purchasing and contracting and the receipt, handling and disposition of public property. The award results assist the department with utilizing the information to improve both internal and external procedures and processes.

The AEP award is sponsored by the National Procurement Institute, the California Association of Public Procurement Officials, the Canadian Public Procurement Council, the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, the National Association of Educational Procurement, the National Association of State Procurement Officials, the Institute of Public Procurement and the Texas Public Purchasing Association.

For 2020, there were 188 successful applicants, including 40 counties, 69 cities, 15 higher education agencies, 22 school districts, 34 special districts, and five state agencies.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities.

The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, all focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis.