About Us

The Organization for Purchasing Professionals

Mission: Promote and maintain purchasing professionalism and proficiency in the field of public sector purchasing and materials management.

CAPAObjectives include:

• Establish cooperative relationships among members for the development of efficient purchasing methods and practices in the field of educational, governmental and public institutional procurement.

• Encourage maintenance of ethical standards in buying and selling;

• Promote uniform public purchasing laws and simplified standards and specifications;

• Collect and disseminate useful information for its members;

• Promote the interchange of ideas and experiences within purchasing profession;

• Encourage research and investigation and sponsor such other activities as may be useful in providing its members with knowledge for efficient procurement;

• Strive by all legitimate means to advance the purchasing profession;

• Promote professionalism in public purchasing through continuing education.

History:

The Capital Area Purchasing Association was chartered in 1976. Currently, CAPA boasts a membership of more than 250 procurement professionals in Virginia.

CAPA is a chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP), accepted and approved on March 21, 1978, and subject to all Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Board of Directors of the NIGP.

Meetings:

CAPA meets monthly, except during July and August, usually held on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings combine luncheon and business. The CAPA conference, usually held in September preempts the luncheon meeting. The election of officers is held at the November meeting, officers are installed at the December social event, and the annual budget is presented at the January meeting.