Tennessee Department of General Services
Steven G. Cates, Commissioner

Procurement Reform

Legislation

Tennessee Public Chapter 1098 (enacted in 2010) and Public Chapter 295 (enacted in 2011) announced the creation of a state procurement office, chief procurement officer, procurement commission, advisory council on state procurement, and a state protest committee. The purpose of the legislation is to centralize procurement functions and create cost savings and efficiencies while ensuring transparency and accountability in the procurement and contracting process. The creation of central contract and grant management processes will help maximize workflow and minimize procedural steps that would otherwise impede productivity. The performance and quality of the state’s procurements will be raised through new processes and the implementation of best practices.

Advisory Council

Under TCA 4-56-106 (including amendments made under Public Chapter 295), effective November 1, 2011, there is created an advisory council on state procurement. The council will consist of five voting members, and seven non-voting members. All members shall have a demonstrable working knowledge of the state procurement process. All procurement policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures established by the Chief Procurement Officer will be reviewed by the council and the council will issue a formal comment before they are presented for approval before the Procurement Commission. When requested by the CPO, the Council may conduct studies, research, analyses, and make reports and recommendations with respect to subjects or matters within the authority and duties of the CPO. The council will serve a strictly advisory role in the performance of its duties, but it will monitor the performance of the CPO in the implementation of legislative directives. The council may also be asked by legislative committees to comment on the potential effects of proposed legislation on the procurement and contract processes.

	Name	Appointed By	Term End Date
5 Voting Members:	Mike Perry	N/A	N/A
	Sondra Howe	DGS – Commissioner Cates	10/31/13
	Kelly Smith	DGS – Commissioner Cates	10/31/14
	Buddy Lea	F&A – Commissioner Emkes	10/31/13
	Jason Mumpower	Comptroller Wilson	10/31/15
7 Non-Voting Members:	Mark Choate	Governor Haslam	10/31/13
	Steve Hillis	Governor Haslam	10/31/14
	Jay Garrison	Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey	10/31/13
	Melissa Kmiecik	Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey	10/31/14
	Matt Thompson	Speaker of the House Beth Harwell	10/31/13
	Hugh Holt	Speaker of the House Beth Harwell	10/31/14
	Jim Thompson	Fiscal Review Com. Chairman	10/31/13
		Senator Bill Ketron