Make that three in a row.

Cal State San Bernardino’s Department of Procurement and Contracts is the recipient of the 2025 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute Inc. (NPI). That makes it three consecutive years the department has been honored with the award.

CSUSB is one of 216 organizations in the U.S. and Canada and one of only 15 higher education institutions to receive the award this year. CSUSB previously earned it in 2024 and in 2023. The AEP program encourages the development of excellence, as well as continued organizational improvement to earn the award annually.

“This national recognition highlights organizations that demonstrate excellence in public procurement by embracing innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership and e-procurement,” said Jay Wood, executive director and chief procurement officer. “Receiving this award three years in a row reflects the team's continued dedication to excellence and service to the CSUSB community.”

Members of the department honored are:

  • Amy Beran, buyer III (senior buyer)
  • Ashley Alcazar, buyer
  • Robin Bewley, buyer/contracts
  • Rodrigo Melesio, buyer
  • Angelica Jara, lead procurement and contract specialist
  • J.C. Cortez, lead procurement and contract specialist
  • Megann Martinez, capital projects and contract specialist
  • Karo Alba Hernandez, corporate card specialist
  • Cristhian Godines Jimenez, corporate card specialist

Wood saluted the staff’s “commitment to best practices, compliance and operational excellence (that) sets a high standard for procurement in higher education.”

2025 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award graphic

CSUSB’s Department of Procurement and Contracts is responsible for all purchases and contracts made by the university. The procurement staff assists the campus community with their purchasing needs and acts as a liaison with vendors and service providers. The department is responsible for issuing purchase orders, agreements, memorandums of understanding and fees for service agreements and contracts.

Additionally, the department takes initiative in coordinating and evaluating bids, managing the office supplies contract and the corporate card program, and obtaining quotes for needed goods and services.

In addition to the NPI, the AEP is sponsored by the California Association of Public Procurement Officials, Canadian Public Procurement Council/Conseil canadien des marchés publics, Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Government Finance Officers Association, National Association of Educational Procurement, NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement and Texas Public Purchasing Association.

The AEP is supported by the Airport Purchasing Group, AXIA Cooperative, GOVMVMT, NCPP The Professional Association for Cooperative Procurement, OMNIA Partners, Pavilion, Strategic Government Resources, Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, and the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council.