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ɫ���� Tech won two notable awards at the ɫ���� Procurement Conference, hosted by the University System of ɫ���� (USG) this week. This event highlights the achievements of various schools within the system and awards those who meet the strenuous requirements of their awards submissions process.

The first award was presented to the Procurement and Business Services department on April 24 for their work in the research-intensive (i.e., R1) category. This is the first time the department has won the award. 

This award recognizes the work of the Procurement and Business Services team in supporting faculty, staff, and researchers and highlights ɫ���� as a leader in the procurement field in the state of ɫ����. The work of the Procurement and Business Services team has not gone unnoticed and has been lauded by ɫ���� leadership.

“It is wonderful to see the Procurement and Business Services team’s expertise and informed advocacy recognized. It is a well-deserved honor for their department. They have established themselves as leaders within the University System of ɫ���� by finding innovative solutions that comply with established laws, rules, and ���𲵳ܱ����پ��DzԲ�” said Vice President for Finance and Planning and Interim Chief Financial Officer Jim Fortner.

Procurement Director Erin Mitchell says her team worked together to make their efforts in supporting ɫ���� a success. “Everyone on the team brings unique ideas and skills to the table. This award is not just about the result but about the team effort that made it possible. It is also a reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together and serves as motivation to continue to strive towards excellence within the state and beyond.”

During the closing session of the ɫ���� Procurement Conference on April 27, ɫ���� Tech was honored with the prestigious Vision Award for its work in Robotic Process Automation.  This was won in part due to the collaborative efforts of Procurement and Business Services and the Office of Information Technology. The initial draft of the submission was created using , an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI, and was noted as being both an innovative process and submission.

“This Vision Award is a great reflection of all the teamwork that went into planning and implementing the bots, as well as each team member having the vision to pursue these bots,” said Executive Director of Business Services Ajay Patel. “This award is a testament to the collective work of all involved.”

While the 2023 USG award season has ended, Procurement and Business Services anticipates another year of stellar service to further support the ɫ���� community at large.