The AEP program encourages the development of excellence as well as continued organizational improvement to earn the award annually.
For 2025, there were 216 successful applicants including 85 cities, 48 counties, 23 special districts, 26 school districts, 15 higher education agencies, 7 state or provincial agencies and 12 others.
In addition to the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI), the AEP is sponsored by the California Association of Public Procurement Officials (CAPPO), Canadian Public Procurement Council / Conseil canadien des marchés publics (CPPC), Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials (FAPPO), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement and Texas Public Purchasing Association (TxPPA).
The AEP is supported by the Airport Purchasing Group (APG), AXIA Cooperative, GOVMVMT, NCPP The Professional Association for Cooperative Procurement, OMNIA Partners, Pavilion, Strategic Government Resources (SGR), Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC), and the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC).