Procurement Office



Welcome to Portsmouth Public Schools' (PPS') Procurement Office.  The Procurement Office is responsible for the procurement of all supplies, materials, equipment and contractual services required by the school division.  We would like to welcome all interested vendors to our school division!

PPS procurement procedures are conducted in accordance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) and School Board policies.  Under current School Board policies, up to $1,000 can be spent using the school division's Purchasing Card.  Schools and departments are authorized to purchase goods and services up to $15,000.  Only one quote is required for purchases up to $5,000, and three quotes are required for purchases between $5,001 and $15,000.  All purchase requests over $15,000 are conducted by the PPS Procurement Office and are posted on the Commonwealth of Virginia's electronic procurement system (eVA).

Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program and Policy

In 2012, the City of Portsmouth School Board approved and adopted an M/WBE Program Policy designed to provide M/WBEs equal access to PPS contract opportunities; increase awareness of the PPS M/WBE participation.  This policy, in conjunction with the Virginia Public Procurement Act, and other School Board policies, allows PPS to ensure the taxpayers and families of Portsmouth City are provided with the highest quality of goods and services at a reasonable cost, and ensure all procurement procedures are conducted in a fair impartial manner.

The Procurement Office conducts the daily administration of the PPS M/WBE program, on behalf of the School Board, and ensures all PPS staff members are compliant with said policy and are aware of the policy requirements and responsibilities.  PPS recognizes vendor certifications from the Virginia Small Business and Supplier Diversity Department (SBSD, formerly VDMBE), and the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (CVMSDC).  All minority and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to become certified as an M/WBE through one of these organizations.  PPS does not conduct certification of vendors.  For more information regarding PPS purchasing and the PPS M/WBE Program, please contact our office, or visit our M/WBE webpage. 

Michael L. Thomas, CPPM
Procurement Manager
Portsmouth Public Schools
Procurement Office
801 Crawford Street, 3rd Floor
Portsmouth, VA  23704
Phone:  757-393-8261
Fax:  757-393-5104
Purchasing@pps.k12.va.us