On May 26, the General Directorate for Public Contracting (DGCP) hosted a launch of its new certification program for procurement professionals. The launch included opening remarks from the General Counsel of the US Department of Commerce, Leslie Kiernan, who spoke about the critical importance of professionalizing the procurement function as a means to reducing corruption risks and improving a country’s ability to manage complex procurements. The Minister of Public Administration, Dario Castillo, also provided opening remarks where he expressed support of the DGCP’s certification program and announced the creation of a new specialized career series for procurement personnel in the DR, a recommendation that was made by CLDP as part of its technical assistance engagements.  The session also included an overview of the new certification program by the Director of the DGCP, Carlos Pimentel and members of his staff, who highlighted the role that CLDP played in providing recommendations on its design and implementation. CLDP also made a presentation on the history of the US federal government’s procurement professionalization program and the evolution of international standards from the OECD, which have placed greater emphasis on the recognition of procurement as a profession rather than as an administrative function. The launch of the certification program and the creation of the specialized career series represent the culmination of years of CLDP technical assistance to the DGCP to help professionalize the procurement workforce.