Articles

Procurement & Contract Planning

Procurement & Contract Planning: Canadian Public Sector Guide

Author: Graham Allen It is often said, “… working in public procurement is akin to being in a fish bowl with the cat watching.” This is an indication of the level of transparency and accountability required by public procurement professionals. A key aspect to keeping the cat away is a strong foundational procurement document that […]

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The ins and outs of Collaborative Procurement

Navigating the public procurement process can be challenging enough then add in Buying Groups, GPO’s or group purchasing organization, collaborative procurement initiatives, purchasing networks, collaborative sourcing partners, they go by so many names. They can be government agencies, not for profit organizations, or private companies. Some are membership based, national, regional, or sector specific. How […]

importance of ethical procurement

The Importance of Ethical Procurement Practices in Public Sectors

Author: Helen Doucette “Accept the bid from ABC Company” said the VP of Finance to the Director of Procurement.  “I cannot” replied the Director.  “Why not” asked the VP. “According to the Competitive Bidding Law of Canada, we can only accept compliant bids. ABC’s was late and deemed non-compliant. To accept the bid would put […]

Procurement-Department

Navigating the 5 Steps of the Procurement Journey Part 2

Author: Graham Allen In the second of two parts of “Navigation the Five Steps of the Procurement Journey” we’ll be covering posting, evaluation, award and close out. Step 3 Posting Once the procurement document is developed and approved it is posted online for bidders to respond. The posting time is determined primarily by the procurement’s […]

navigating the 5 steps of the procurement journey

Navigating the 5 Steps of the Procurement Journey Part 1

Author: Graham Allen There are many similarities and differences between public and private procurement. However, the greatest overlap is the procurement life cycle or as some refer to it as the Procurement Journey.  This two-part series discusses the five steps of the procurement journey beginning with concept and development and continuing with posting, evaluation and […]

balancing efficiency and effectiveness in procurement

Balancing Efficiency and Effectiveness in Procurement

Author: Larry Berglund As part of the assessment on the ability of a supply chain department to deliver value effectively, is its ability to do so efficiently. Efficiency is realized through many factors: the talent of its staff and the training budget; the governance policies and reporting structures; the budget for resources including equipment; the […]

contractor performance in the procurement

how to manage contractor performance

Author: Liz Busch Despite how well we plan our procurement projects, your contractor’s performance may not be what you were expecting. Some government organizations have clear measures and expectations, and systematic approaches to managing contractor performance. As an example, a Google search gives you these results: The City of Toronto’s Contractor Performance Evaluation Form (construction […]

Difference between public and private sector procurement

what is the difference between public and private sector procurement?

As a company that provides education in public procurement, this is perhaps the most common question that arises. While there are many similarities, the nuances of public legislation and free trade requirements create a procurement environment that is more regulated, demands a greater level of transparency, and requires vigilance to stay on top of the constantly […]

strategies for designing a contract management plan

Strategies for Designing a Contract Management Plan

Author: Liz Busch Planning for a procurement should consider the entire procurement lifecycle, including contract management and close-out.  However, it’s difficult to anticipate everything that may occur after the contract is signed – how does one plan for the unpredictable? The answer is to develop a contract management plan that includes strategies for: Establishing a […]