Certification

CPFO - Procurement Outline

The Procurement exam for the CPFO program covers the policies and processes that governments use to purchase goods and serves, manage contracts, ensure effective supply chain relationships, and enforce proper controls within the public procurement function. Specific topics will also require knowledge of ethics, legal compliance, project management, utilization of technology, and transparency.

Procurement Outline

SUB-TOPIC

DETAIL

PERCENTAGE WEIGHTING

Public Procurement Function

  • Value of Strategic Procurement
  • Competition
  • Legal Authority
  • Ethics
  • Procurement Structure
  • Link Between Budget Monitoring and Procurement

20%

Competitive Procurement

  • Requisition/Purchase Order
  • Source Selection
  • RFP/Bid
  • Cooperative Procurement

20%

Contract Management

  • Contract Negotiation
  • Performance Management

10%

Supply Chain Management

  • Vendor Management
  • Inventory/Supply Chain

10%

Spend Analysis/Evaluation

  • Evaluation Team
  • Bid Analysis
  • Fiscal Impact/NPV

10%

Managed Competition/Outsourcing

  • Privatization
  • Public Private Partnership
  • Service Level Agreements

10%

Specialized Procurement

  • Construction
  • Software
  • Financial Services

10%

Procurement Policy

  • Procurement Policy Manual
  • Social/Community Procurement

10%

Resource Recommendations

GFOA recommends that CPFO candidate review the following materials to prepare for the exam.

Best Practices

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As the public procurement profession evolves, global best practices keep you up to date with advances in definitions, concepts, and best practices. Whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned professional, the guidance provided offers new insights and clarity on public procurement topics and practices.

Publications / Free Resources

GFOA has partnered with NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement to help provide resources for GFOA members.

Available Training

Coming Soon

Additional Web Resources

Coming Soon

Disclaimer

As the exam development process progresses for the seven new CPFO exams, some materials may be added to this reading list. Please check back regularly for updates to this document until the new exams are launched.

Please contact Eric Roach or email GFOA with questions.

Last updated June 1, 2021