Dictionary of Procurement Terms

Welcome to the NIGP Online Dictionary of Procurement Terms, the comprehensive reference for public purchasing terms and concepts.

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Search Results: 51-60 of 122 results for “E”

  • Engineer

    An engineer is an individual, partnership, or corporation that designs materials, structures, machines, and systems, considers the limitations imposed by practicality, safety, and cost, and adheres to local and national building codes.

  • Engineering Estimate

    A cost estimate prepared by the engineering department or an outside engineering firm to enable the procurement officer to determine a potential estimated cost of a project and establish a budget range.

  • Enterprise Funds

    A type of proprietary fund used to account for fees charged in exchange for goods and services. Criteria to determine enterprise funds are that they: (1) generate revenue, (2) provide goods or services, or (3) operate as a stand-alone or are self-supporting. Funds that control various utilities such as water, water reclamation, storm water, electric, and other entities providing service financed through user charges.

    See Also: Internal Service fund, Proprietary Funds

  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

    A business process software system that manages multiple management systems. May include finance, accounting, human resources, purchasing, inventory control, and other activities.

  • Entity

    Term used when referring to a public sector organization.

  • Entrepreneur

    A person who risks time, effort, and money to start and operate a business. (Business, 2002)

  • Entrepreneurship

    The assembling of resources to produce new or improved products and technologies. (Business, 2002)

  • Environmental Choice Program (ECP)

    An eco-labelling scheme established by Environment Canada in 1988 to help customers (e.g., public, corporate, and consumers) identify products and services that are less harmful to the environment. Products and services must be independently certified to meet stringent environmental standards that have been verified by a third party auditor that reflect their entire lifecycle from manufacturing to disposal. Although originally founded by the Canadian government, EcoLogo is now well-known world-wide.

  • Environmental Compliance

    Procurement decisions that impact the environment such as energy consumption, recycled products, and waste disposal. Governmental buying decisions should also incorporate environmental and societal costs and benefits not contained in the purchase price of a product or service, such as the pollution produced or avoided when using a particular product or service. (Martin & Miller, 2006)

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

    A Federal Government agency established to implement and enforce federal laws relating to clean air, clean water, waste disposal, and related environmental issues.