Noting that the Western team is among the first in DOE to win this award, Hopf said the team was selected because of its "innovative approaches to improving the procurement culture, systems and processes" that improved service to staff and customers.

Western's team was cited for:

publishing an informational procurement handbook.

compiling numerous operating manuals for contracting staff.

developing a simplified pricing memorandum guide.

conducting improved staff training.

streamlining data input capabilities.

identifying optimum office workload distribution.

promoting contract reform.

establishing interactive forums among procurement professionals.

originating a past performance data base with user-friendly software.

"You are a leader in procurement and have pioneered approaches that are being copied by other organizations," Hopf told team members. "You have saved the government roughly one-half million dollars a year. On behalf of the Department, I thank you."

Formed in 1995 to streamline the procurement process and to assume a leadership role in contract reform, the team was officially named the Acquisition Collaboration Team in 1996. Goals have been to invent procurement processes and provide tools to reap monetary savings and enhance mission attainment throughout Western. The team is composed of regional procurement managers in Loveland, Colo., Huron, S.D., Phoenix, Ariz., and Folsom, Calif., and a procurement manager, senior procurement analyst and team lead in Western's Corporate Services Office in Golden, Colo.

Team members honored were Frank Armstrong, Debra Bean, Bob Dobson, Judy Madsen, Ann Nikolas, Jon Olsen and Steve Reed, Golden; Janna Buwalda, Folsom; Jim Dickey, Huron; Joan Jessen, Loveland; and John Rynerson, Phoenix.

Western Area Power Administration markets and transmits reliable, low-cost hydroelectric power across 15 central and western states.