Government procurement and time to contract

Back in the news is the problem with government procurement and time to contract.

http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2013/labour-mp-hillier-attacks-public-procurement-processes

Whilst encouraging small and medium size enterprises there are a number of worrying counter points to the political suggestions (it should be noted that only one other country in the article is in Europe and subject to OJEU regulations):

  • Quicker procurement versus the need for due diligence
  • Breaking down bigger contracts versus reducing the supplier base and reducing costs.
  • With government departments struggling to manage contract delivery increasing the number of contracts presents the very real potential to exacerbate the problem.

The article raises a very interesting point regarding the ownership of IP.  The government departments should be taking a much more individual and relevant approach to the ownership of IP and when it applies.

What is absolutely spot on is the need to improve the competencies of staff dealing with the contracts and complex procurement.  The ability to manage complex procurement ties in with ensuring the IP requirements but also leads in to the need for due diligence being undertaken.

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