PRESS RELEASE

Above: The City of Long Beach Financial Management Department's Procurement Services Division joins City leaders after recognizing March as National Procurement Month at the Tuesday, March 4 City Council meeting.

Long Beach, CA – During the Tuesday, March 4, 2025, meeting, the Long Beach City Council recognized the month of March as National Procurement Month, acknowledging the vital role that procurement plays in delivering essential goods, services and programming to residents, businesses and visitors. To celebrate National Procurement Month, the City has launched a month-long social media campaign to provide information on its procurement process and resources available to businesses and nonprofits interested in contracting with the City.

"Procurement is an integral part of how we serve our community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “From infrastructure projects and public safety to parks and community programs, our purchasing decisions ensure that residents, local businesses and visitors benefit from high-quality goods and services. This month, we also celebrate the professionals who make that possible and encourage businesses to explore the many opportunities to work with the City.”

The campaign will commemorate National Procurement Month, which was originally established by The Institute for Public Procurement, by highlighting the value of ethical, transparent, inclusive and efficient purchasing practices in government. In addition to procurement information and resources, the campaign will showcase the City’s recently expanded Local Preference Program, which supports local businesses by giving them a competitive edge in the contracting process. To stay informed, community members are encouraged to follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn, and join the conversation using #LBProcurementMonth.

As part of these efforts, the City invites businesses and nonprofits to register on its procurement platform, Long Beach Buys, to gain access to contracting opportunities. Additionally, the City will host a special edition of its monthly Doing Business with the City webinar on Thursday, March 20 at 11 a.m. This webinar will provide an overview of the City’s procurement process, guidance on vendor registration and information on available resources. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask City staff questions. Participants will receive Zoom meeting details upon completion of the registration form.

This year’s celebration comes on the heels of a major achievement for the City: the prestigious Award for Excellence from the Government Finance Officers Association, which recognizes innovative programs and contributions to the practice of government finance that exemplify outstanding financial management. This honor recognizes the success of the City’s Extreme Procurement Makeover, a multi-year effort which transformed procurement operations to enhance efficiency, transparency and equity.

“We are incredibly proud of the strides we have made to enhance our procurement process during the last five years,” said Kevin Riper, Director of Financial Management. “The Extreme Procurement Makeover has led to meaningful changes that make it easier for vendors to do business with the City resulting in better outcomes for both vendors and our community alike. National Procurement Month is the perfect time to celebrate this progress and reaffirm our commitment to excellence.”

For more information on the City’s procurement opportunities and to register for the upcoming vendor webinar, visit longbeach.gov/purchasing.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Department of Financial Management’s Purchasing Division is available at longbeach.gov/purchasing.