Barnstable County Honored with 2025 National Procurement Award for Excellence
Information from Barnstable County Department of Finance
(July 10, 2025) BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable County has received the 2025 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI), a distinction recognizing organizations that demonstrate the highest standards in public purchasing.
This national award celebrates agencies that show a strong commitment to innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership, and e-procurement. Barnstable County is one of only 216 government agencies across North America to receive the award this year—and among just 48 counties recognized for this honor.
The County’s Procurement Office, under the leadership of Chief Procurement Officer Jennifer Frates, has made significant strides in modernizing procurement practices and improving access and transparency. In recent years, Frates led the successful implementation of Bonfire, a cloud-based eProcurement platform that has streamlined the bidding process for vendors and increased efficiency across departments.
“Receiving this national recognition is a testament to the County’s commitment to integrity and excellence in public service,” said County Finance Director Carol Coppola. “Jennifer has played a key role in building a professional and responsive procurement operation that benefits not only our departments but also our regional partners.”
“I’m grateful for the strong support from Barnstable County and the Towns we serve—this achievement wouldn’t be possible without their partnership and collaboration,” said Jennifer Frates, Chief Procurement Officer for Barnstable County. “I’m proud to represent a team that values continuous improvement in public service.”
Frates, who has served in her role since 2019, is known throughout Cape Cod for her expertise and collaborative spirit. She frequently supports municipal departments across Barnstable County by providing technical guidance on procurement regulations and helping towns navigate complex public purchasing requirements.
The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award is sponsored by several national organizations, including the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement, the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), and the Texas Public Purchasing Association (TxPPA). It is supported by leading procurement networks and cooperatives such as OMNIA Partners, Pavilion, and the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council.
This award underscores Barnstable County’s ongoing efforts to maintain transparency, strengthen vendor access, and ensure public dollars are spent wisely and in accordance with best practices.
To learn more about the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award, visit https://www.npi-aep.org.
About Barnstable County Regional Government of Cape Cod: Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offers a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.
