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Procurement Training

DAS Central Procurement Training
for Purchasing Agents (PA) & Agency Authorized Purchasers (AAP) 

In order to facilitate efficient and cost-effective purchasing in compliance with State of Iowa Code, Iowa Administrative Code (IAC), and DAS Policies and Procedures, DAS Central Procurement has developed a professional development plan for all State of Iowa employees designated to make purchases on behalf of the State. 

Procurement authority is limited to State of Iowa employees who have completed appropriate training for their assigned purchasing level. Per Administrative Rule 11 IAC 117.15(2), purchasing authority is granted to the employee who completes the required training, not the employing agency.

In addition to web-based modules, classroom courses are offered in partnership with Performance and Development Solutions (PDS), DAS State Accounting Enterprise (SAE), and the National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP).

Required Training: WHO needs WHAT? 

Required classes for Purchasing Agents (PAs) & Agency Authorized Purchasers (AAPs) are based upon thresholds for purchasing authority classified as Level A, Level 1 (Basic), Level 2 (Advanced), or Level 3 (DAS PAs only). 

  • Level A Certification: Authorized purchasers at this level are required to pass the web-based training (WBT) module Buying Basics detailing State of Iowa procurement policy and procedures before making any purchases on behalf of the State. Buying Basics is strongly recommended for Pcardholders and anyone buying from existing Master Agreements (MAs), certified Targeted Small Businesses (TSBs) up to $10,000, goods up to $1,500, or services up to $5,000 (where no informal quotes or competitive bids are needed).
     
  • Level 1 (Basic) Certification: Authorized purchasers at this level must complete and pass six (6) prerequisite procurement code WBTs, and a ½-day PDS Intro to State Procurement Class. Once completed, Level 1 buyers are authorized to engage in informal quotes or competitive bids for purchases of goods from $1,500-$5,000 or services from $5,000-$50,000.  
     
  • Level 2 (Advanced) Certification: Authorized purchasers at this level (also known as “Advanced Procurement Authority”) must complete and pass six (6) prerequisite web-based procurement code modules, a ½-day PDS Intro to State Procurement Class, PDS Advanced Procurement Certification seminar, SAE Introduction to I/3 procurement, and SAE I/3 Advanced Procurement for Solicitation training, two (2) NIGP courses (Introduction to Public Procurement and Legal Aspects), I/3 Financial and VSS training, as well as have six months procurement experience. Advanced Procurement Training is required for those obtaining quotes or competitive bids for goods purchases between $5,000 and $50,000, or service purchases above $50,000 (depending upon agency authority). Recertification must also be completed every two years to maintain advanced procurement authority status.
     
  • Level 3: The Level 3 designation applies to DAS Central Procurement PAs only. Training includes all Level 1 and Level 2 requirements and recertification, as well as additional industry education. DAS Central Procurement oversight is required for competitive agency purchases of goods above $50,000 (unless code exemption applies).  

Training Resources

DAS Central Procurement

Performance Development Solutions (PDS)

DAS State Accounting Enterprise (SAE)

  • For I/3 Financial and VSS information and training calendar, see the SAE I/3 website

Refer to the procurement training guide to ensure the appropriate classes are taken. 

Professional Procurement Associations

 Procurement Training Guide (printable version)

Level A
Procurement Thresholds - Level A buyers may purchase:

- Goods up to $1,500 (no competitive bidding required)
​- Services up to $4,999 (no competitive bidding required)
- Goods or Services from Certified TSBs up to $10,000
- Goods or Services from Master Agreements (any amount) 

Required Classes

Note: Buying Basics is strongly recommended for all Pcardholders who do not have any other State procurement training. See the Iowa Pcard/Travel Card Training page for web-based cardholder training requirements.  

Level 1 (Basic Procurement Authority)
Procurement Thresholds - Level 1 buyers may purchase:

- Goods $1,501-$5,000 (competitive bidding required)
​- Services $5,000-$50,000 (competitive bidding required)
- Goods or Services from Certified TSBs up to $10,000
- Goods or Services from Master Agreements (any amount) 

Required Classes

  • Procurement Code Series - (6) online modules (DAS Central Procurement training site); prerequisite for classroom training  
  • Introduction to State Procurement (PDS) - half-day classroom session 
  • Basics of I/3 Financial (SAE) - See I/3 webpage for training calendar; prerequisite for Solicitation Process and Iowa VSS (required if posting solicitations to Iowa VSS)
  • Solicitation Process and Iowa VSS (SAE) - See I/3 webpage for training calendar; required of all users posting to Iowa VSS

Level 2 (Advanced Procurement Authority)
Procurement Thresholds - Level 2 buyers may purchase:

- Goods $5,000-$50,000 (competitive bidding required)
​- Services greater than $50,000 (competitive bidding required)
- Goods or Services from Certified TSBs up to $10,000
- Goods or Services from Master Agreements (any amount) 

Required Classes

  • Procurement Code Series - (6) online modules (DAS Central Procurement Training); prerequisite for classroom training
  • Introduction to State Procurement (PDS) - half-day classroom session
  • Advanced Procurement Certification (PDS) - full-day classroom session 
  • Basics of I/3 Financial (SAE) - See I/3 webpage for training calendar; prerequisite for Solicitation Process and Iowa VSS (required if posting solicitations to Iowa VSS)
  • Solicitation Process and Iowa VSS (SAE) - See I/3 webpage for training calendar; required of all users posting to Iowa VSS
  • Introduction to Public Procurement (NIGP) - full-day classroom session 
  • Legal Aspects (NIGP) - full-day classroom session 
  • Procurement Project Management (PDS) - Required recertification every two years 

Level 3 (DAS Central Procurement PAs only)
Procurement Thresholds:

- Goods greater than $50,000 (competitive bidding required)
​- Services greater than $50,000 (competitive bidding required)
- Goods or Services from Certified TSBs up to $10,000
- Goods or Services from Master Agreements (any amount) 

Required Classes

  • Procurement Code Series - (6) online modules (DAS Central Procurement Training); prerequisite for classroom training 
  • Introduction to State Procurement (PDS) - half-day classroom session
  • Advanced Procurement Certification (PDS) - full-day classroom session 
  • Basics of I/3 Financial (SAE) - See I/3 webpage for training calendar; prerequisite for Solicitation Process and Iowa VSS (required if posting solicitations to Iowa VSS)
  • Solicitation Process and Iowa VSS (SAE) - See I/3 webpage for training calendar; required of all users posting to Iowa VSS
  • Introduction to Public Procurement (NIGP) - full-day classroom session 
  • Legal Aspects (NIGP) - full-day classroom session  
  • Procurement Project Management (PDS) - Required recertification every two years