GCPS Purchasing and Property Management Department earns national acclaim

     For the 12th consecutive year, Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) Department of Purchasing and Property Management has been recognized as one of the best in the nation. The National Procurement Institute (NPI), a non-profit organization that focuses on leading excellence in public procurement, has named the GCPS Department of Purchasing and Property Management a 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award winner. GCPS is one of only 31 school districts in the United States to earn the award.

     GCPS Director of Purchasing and Property Management Kevin Kriews shares, “Earning the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for the twelfth consecutive year reflects our team's unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and service. This recognition highlights the professionalism, collaboration, and dedication of our Purchasing and Property Management team, who work every day to support our schools and stakeholders. It also demonstrates our commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources, continuous improvement, and the advancement of procurement practices that create value for Gwinnett County Public Schools and the community we serve.”

     GCPS Chief Financial Officer Masana Mailliard adds, “This achievement reflects our team’s strong commitment to operational efficiency, ethics, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and continuous improvement. Earning this distinction underscores the professionalism and strategic value the Purchasing Team brings to GCPS. Their efforts contribute directly to sound financial management, effective vendor partnerships, and the responsible use of public resources.”

     In 1995, NPI established the AEP program, designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement. The AEP designation is a nationally recognized benchmark for procurement excellence, awarded to organizations that demonstrate best practices across a comprehensive set of performance measures. This year, there were 251 successful applicants, which included 93 cities, 54 counties, 30 special districts, 31 school districts, 17 higher education agencies, six state or provincial agencies, and 20 others.