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Public purchasing officials focus on public's interest by Betty Craven Procurement It’s that time again to applaud public purchasing officials. The governor of South Carolina proclaimed March to be the month to recognize public purchasing. What is public purchasing? Purchasing for the public. Sounds simple, but is it?  Purchasing officials work for the public and their performance must be above reproach and without fault by public standards at all times.  Public purchasing officials must be ‘jacks-and-jills-of-all-trades’ so to speak—a little bit attorney, a little bit engineer, and a little bit accountant just to mention a few.  Plain and simple, the main objective of a public purchasing official is to look out for the public’s best interest. To find the best product or service, at the best price, in the best time to meet a specific need. It is not always an easy task but it is always required.  Public buyers accomplish this by: participation in government organizations such as SCAGPO (South Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing Officials); Continuous training and education; being actively involved in community civic activities; being actively  involved with Small and Minority Business Enterprise; using the internet to cut costs;  encouraging others support and contributing  ideas. Sounds like public purchasing buyers are busy. Busy looking out for the public’s best interests. Wouldn’t it be great to be recognized and remembered not just one month out of the year but all year through? Public purchasing officials must continuously strive to be and do their best. The way to be recognized is to shine in their profession by doing the best job possible.  When they accomplish this goal, it is recognized and rewarded all year long but in March for one whole month, they shine in the limelight.