PPP Management

Increasing competition into a market place keeps the suppliers on their toes, drives innovation, price improvement and helps reduce the potential for corruption. As a small business we are very much in accord with the sentiment above.  However, when I read the article ( http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2014/meps-agree-changes-to-public-sector-procurement-rules  ) I was concerned by: The European Parliament voted with comfortable majorities to support the package of reforms, which aims to cut red tape by reducing paperwork, boost the participation of SMEs by breaking up big contracts into smaller lots and encourage the creation of public sector mutuals to run services. As procurement and project management professionals the red text above is a cause for concern and follows on the heels of the UK government's CPO's comment along similar lines, albeit related to IT projects.  Breaking up larger contracts into smaller contracts has the potential for creating benefit...

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 imp...

The Welsh government looks to reduce bureaucracy and help SMEs compete for government contracts. http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2013/welsh-government-to-reduce-bureaucracy-for-suppliers-through-nps Addressing the effectiveness of sole traders and SMEs to compete is extremely noteworthy and highly commendable.  If this is an initiative to award contracts to Welsh companies then all parties would be well served to remind themselves of the main tenet of the OJEU legislation pertinent to open competition.