SESSION DESCRIPTION: Strong evaluation criteria and effective committee facilitation are critical to successful procurements. This session explores how to develop clear, relevant, measurable, and defensible evaluation criteria that align with the scope of work and the organization’s goals. Attendees will also learn practical strategies for assembling and facilitating an effective evaluation committee, establishing clear roles and expectations, encouraging transparent decision-making, resolving conflicts, and keeping the evaluation process on track.
PRESENTER 1: Claudia Leon, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Director of Procurement for 1GPA
Claudia has over 31 years of procurement experience in the public sector, having served in three Arizona school districts. As a longtime public servant, she understands firsthand the urgency, responsibility, and accountability that comes with serving communities and stewarding taxpayer dollars. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and maintains both the NIGP-CPP and CPPB certifications. In the fall of 2021, Claudia joined 1GPA as the Director of Procurement, where she is committed to fostering a transparent, ethical, and compliant procurement process that serves all stakeholders and upholds the public trust. Beyond her professional role, Claudia is passionate about education and enjoys teaching procurement classes, sharing her experience and expertise to help others develop a strong foundation in public procurement best practices. She lives in Arizona with her husband and is the proud mother of two adult children.
PRESENTER 2: Rebecca Seifert, CPPB, Senior Procurement & Contract Officer for 1GPA
Rebecca brings over 26 years of procurement expertise across both the private and public sectors. An honors graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Accounting and a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) designation, her diverse background spans manufacturing, school district purchasing, and cooperative procurement. Since joining 1GPA Cooperative in 2019, Rebecca has played a pivotal role in strengthening the connection between cooperative contracts and public agencies, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and value-driven purchasing. Passionate about fiscal responsibility, transparency, and procurement education, she is committed to fostering a collaborative community of trust and support. Rebecca resides in Gilbert, AZ, with her husband and two sons.