NPI and CPPC Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand International Recognition of Excellence in Public Procurement
March 25, 2026 — The National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI) and the Canadian Public Procurement Council/ Conseil canadien des marchés publics (CPPC-CCMP) are thrilled to announce a new partnership aimed at expanding the global reach and recognition of the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award Program.
This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to advancing the AEP program and fostering procurement excellence across borders. Canadian public entities will benefit from this partnership, as both organizations will work together to support bilingual access, increase evaluator capacity, and promote the value of the AEP award throughout Canada.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Canadian Public Procurement Council (CPPC) will support the translation of AEP materials into French Canadian and contribute bilingual evaluators to support application reviews. In return, NPI will fund the French language interface for the OpenWater application platform. Both organizations will actively promote the program through their respective communication channels.
“We are excited to strengthen our partnership with CPPC and to continue the pursuit of excellence in public procurement internationally,” stated Brandon Harper, President of NPI. “This partnership underscores our shared vision for partnership, growth, and innovation.”
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Canadian public procurement,” added François Emond, Executive Director of CPPC. “By offering more inclusive access to the AEP award, we are empowering Canadian entities to pursue recognition for their innovation, accountability, and leadership.”
This MOU represents a major step forward in strengthening the global profession while celebrating procurement excellence through a unified, accessible framework.
To learn more about the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award, please visit https://www.npi-aep.org/aep-award.\
ABOUT NPI – The National Procurement Institute, founded in 1968 as a non-profit organization, serves public procurement professionals internationally. NPI is focused on leading excellence in public procurement. The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award, established by NPI in 1995, recognizes organizations that demonstrate commitment to innovation, professionalism, productivity, e- procurement, and leadership attributes.
About CPPC – The Canadian Public Procurement Council (CPPC) is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting excellence in public procurement in Canada. It serves as a network for individuals and organizations across the country involved in the profession, sharing best practices and facilitating professional development. Its members are organizations from all sectors of government as well as private entities. The CPPC plays a significant role in advancing the professionalism and capability of public procurement sectors in Canada, enhancing public trust and optimizing public funds usage.
NPI Media Contact:
Carrie Mathes, FNIGP, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., CPPB, APP, FCCM
AEP Officer
National Procurement Institute
[email protected]CPPC Media Contact:
Lynne Marleau
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Canadian Public Procurement Council
[email protected]