Code of Ethics
All applicants and certified professionals shall subscribe to and be bound by the following Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct.
- I shall only seek or accept a position of employment when fully in accord with the professional principles applicable thereto, and when confident of possessing the qualifications to serve under those principles to the advantage of my employer.
- I shall endeavor to keep myself knowledgeable and current on the practices and issues related to my profession.
- I shall conduct myself in a professional manner that reflects the dignity and worth of the services rendered by my employment and the societal responsibilities assumed as a trusted public servant.
- I shall be governed by the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order to merit the respect and inspire the confidence of my employer and the public served.
- I shall neither seek nor accept any form of personal aggrandizement or profit through misuse of public or personal relationships.
- I shall identify and eliminate participation of any individual in operational situations where a conflict of interest may be involved.
- I shall not at any time or under any circumstances accept directly or indirectly, gifts, gratuities or other things of value from suppliers, which might influence or appear to influence the performance of my professional duties.
- I shall keep my governmental organization informed, through appropriate channels, on problems and progress of applicable operations by emphasizing the importance of the facts.
- I shall handle all personnel matters on a merit basis.
- I shall neither seek or dispense personal favors that are in conflict with my professional duties.
- I shall handle each administrative problem objectively and empathetically without discrimination.
- I shall subscribe to and support the professional aims and objectives of the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council.
Prohibited Acts
Individuals currently certified by the UPPCC, certified in a retired status or applying for UPPCC certification may be subject to review and appropriate action including revocation or denial of certification for conduct detrimental to the dignity and respect for their position, including, but not limited to, the commission of any of the following Prohibited Acts:
- A material misstatement or misrepresentation or fraud on application materials for certification or recertification.
- Willful violation of examination procedures, confidentiality or security.
- Failure to report or concealing knowledge of potentially illegal activity by any staff, volunteer or vendor related to his or her job or professional activities.
- Failure to pay certification or recertification fees in a timely manner.
- Misrepresentation or improper use of the CPPO, the CPPB or any other professional credential.
- Conviction for or entry of a plea of nolo contendere to any crime involving an individual’s professional practice in the field of public procurement including but not limited to matters of conduct related to his or her employment and/or conduct related to professional associations and other professional activities.
- Failure to comply with the Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct provisions listed above or other behavior that may bring discredit to the profession.
Policies & Procedures
All candidates for certification and persons currently certified by the UPPCC must comply with the UPPCC Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct. The UPPCC Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct is the basis for the UPPCC Disciplinary Policy.
For the purpose of UPPCC policy and procedures for addressing complaints against candidates enrolled in UPPCC certification programs who are either a current applicant, a certified professional, a certified professional with retired status or an individual who is representing him or herself as having a current certification (hereafter “Respondent”). Any individual may file a written complaint against a Respondent. The written complaint must include the date, stated complaint, relevant supporting materials, and the complainant’s phone number and email address. The complaint should be addressed to the UPPCC Executive Director. The complaint shall be reviewed by the UPPCC Executive Director to ascertain if the criteria for acceptance of a complaint are met. The acceptance criteria are as follows:
Complainant must have personal knowledge of the alleged violation or misbehavior or must be in a position to supply relevant reliable evidence of the violation.
Complainant must demonstrate by documentation and factual evidence that the complaint involves an issue or issues directly related to one or more items of the UPPCC Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Matters of a personal nature or matters not related to the UPPCC Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct will not be considered.
In order for the complaint to be processed, the UPPCC records must show the named Respondent is, at the time of filing, an applicant, a certified professional, a certified professional with retired status or an individual who is representing him or herself as having a current certification.