The Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA) Board of Directors approved the WWEMA Value-Based Procurement Position Paper during WWEMA’s 108th Annual Meeting earlier this month in Orlando, Florida.
The approval formalizes years of work promoting value-based procurement of equipment and services in the public sector.
Given the magnitude of public dollars being expended, it is imperative that governments engage in procurement practices that are efficient, fair and maximize the value that public utility customers receive, according to WWEMA. Effective procurement policies and procedures enable drinking water and wastewater systems to protect public health and the environment.
In its position paper, WWEMA states that it:
- advocates for the use of value-based procurement practices that take into account factors beyond lowest initial price;
- supports an open procurement and selection process that allows all materials and/or equipment to be considered and accurately and fairly compared;
- opposes the enactment of legislation at the state or federal level that gives preferential treatment to one material or process over others; and
- believes it is the duty of the owner and its engineers to do proper diligence to evaluate all products for the intended application/use and make value-based decisions.
“We are pleased to formalize this position that WWEMA has been supporting for many years,” says WWEMA Executive Director Vanessa M. Leiby. “Adopting a value-based procurement process will ensure that public agencies and their ratepayers receive the greatest value from their procurement practices. This will ensure the best use of water and wastewater capital budgets.”
Since 1908, WWEMA has informed, educated and provided leadership on the issues that shape the future of the water and wastewater industry. Its member companies supply the most sophisticated leading-edge products and technologies, offering solutions to every water-related environmental problem and need facing today’s society.
For more information, contact Robert Pignato at (703) 444-1777, email robert@wwema.org or visit wwema.org.
