NPMA bridges gap between industry and procurement agencies

Allison Taisey

In the May issue you learned a lot about the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). But here’s one more tidbit from the organization that we think is rife with possibility: Certification Program Manager Allison Taisey recently spoke to more than 500 procurement professionals at the National Association of State Procurement Officials’ (NASPO’s) 29th annual How to Market to State Governments Meeting in Atlanta.

“Everyone I met with was interested in QualityPro certification,” says Taisey, referring to the NPMA-backed industry certification program. “One deputy director asked whether a 30-day solicitation period was enough time for companies to respond. This led to a small-group discussion of the importance of releasing pest management solicitations during our industry’s slow period.”

Bird control and roadkill cleanup were among their biggest needs, she says.

This could be a tantalizing road the NPMA is paving for PMPs. Think of the bidding possibilities that are open — and, in a recovering economy, opening — among procurement agencies. Now think about how undereducated many of them are in regard to how our industry operates. The NPMA is bridging the gap for everyone’s benefit.

[Editor’s Note: This article appears in the print issue of Pest Management Professional. Allison’s name and title has since changed to Allison Allen, director of certification, NPMA.]

Contact Editor Heather Gooch at hgooch@northcoastmedia.net or 330-321-9754.