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Don’t forget procurement!
By David Hansom, partner and head of Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ specialist public sector team An unintended consequence of the Big Society agenda is that public procurement issues can arise where least expected. David Hansom looks at some of the circumstances that public sector bodies should be alive to in setting up new arrangements. The Government’s [...]
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Public procurement has much to offer but must up its game
By John Tizard, an independent strategic advisor and commentator on public policy and public services Over the past week I have been involved in judging some of the categories for the National Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2012/13. I have read some impressive submissions; learnt about some fantastic projects which have delivered [...]
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The Devil is in the Details
By Terry Street, Principal Consultant and Procurement and Outsourcing Product Manager, Socitm Consulting The Devil is in the Details. Save arguments – clarify the contract and publish it. Happy New Year to you all. A recent conversation has triggered this blog about outcome and contract details. Outcome-based specifications have their place and can certainly allow [...]
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How do we recognise excellent procurement?
By John Tizard, an independent strategic advisor and commentator on public policy and public services As I prepare to judge the National Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Procurement Awards 2012/13 in a couple of weeks’ time, I have been giving some thought as to what constitutes excellence in public procurement. In my view, the most [...]
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Automatic suspension and cancellation of award decisions – the Resource case
By David Hansom, partner and head of public sector team, Veale Wasbrough Vizards Public procurement challenges continue apace as we leave 2011 behind and begin a new year. David Hansom from Veale Wasbrough Vizards looks at a recent decision, Resource (NI) v Northern Ireland Courts & Tribunals Service – the first case to set aside [...]
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SMEs – the forgotten army?
By Morven MacNeil, GO Content Editor The CBI has published a report which brands small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the UK’s ‘forgotten army’, too long overlooked by government but with the potential to inject between £20 billion and £50 billion into the economy by 2020. The report, entitled Future Champions: unlocking growth in the [...]
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Three reasons why collaborative procurement tops going it alone
In these dark winter days, as the shadow of austerity looms large over local authority budgets, the flicker of inspiration can seem a very long way off. Improving efficiency, bringing down costs and identifying requirements are issues of paramount importance for local authorities – but how do you tackle them? It is in the most [...]
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Public Procurement’s New Year Resolutions
By John Tizard, an independent strategic advisor and commentator on public policy and public services After the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and following every other economic forecast, we know that 2012 will be even more challenging for the public sector than 2011 was. There will be less public expenditure and yet more demand for public services. [...]
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Bombardier and Britain’s rail industry back on track?
TweetIn June, Siemens beat Bombardier to become the preferred bidder for the procurement of 1,200 train carriages for the London Thameslink route. It was a decision that became a painful political dilemma for the Government. But was it an expensive mistake or honest procurement gone wrong? First there was the outrage at the decision to [...]
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The European Commission’s proposals for a new procurement directive
By Mark Bassett, Senior Associate, SNR Denton UK LLP The Commission has issued its preliminary proposals for the modernisation of the procurement directives on 20 December. Those hoping for a simplification of the rules will, on first sight, be disappointed. The Commission’s proposal for the replacement of the directive which addresses public sector procurement runs [...]
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