Contract Management is an essential element of the procurement lifecycle as it helps to mitigate risks, ensure compliance and achieve desired outcomes. It is a structured approach to overseeing contracts from initiation to execution and leads to either termination or renewal. It is an important process whether one is managing a low value short term […]
In the competitive landscape of job applications and interviews, candidates often seek unique ways to stand out. One intriguing phenomenon that has emerged in recent years is “humourbragging.” This term combines humour and self-promotion, allowing candidates to present themselves in a light-hearted yet confident manner. In the context of the Canadian public sector, where professionalism […]
This article explores practical approaches to streamline public sector procurement processes and focuses on increasing participation from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The intention is to encourage consideration of ways to simplify and open opportunities for SMEs to efficiently participate in more public procurements. The suggestions apply to all segments of competitive bidding, including the […]
A big challenge in public sector procurement is being able to attract and retain competent staffing. Talent is hard to find, retirements are continuing, and training costs are increasing. A frequent conversation, within senior leadership circles – will we be better positioned if we outsource our procurement services? The answer is not an either-or decision. […]
Contract Management is often thought to be the last step in the Procurement life cycle but instead it is both the beginning and end of the procurement cycle and it provides a constant feedback loop. The following article discusses the various steps of contract management and its role in procurement efficiency. But first a definition […]
Introduction: In the realm of Canadian public sector procurement, understanding competitive bid laws is essential for ensuring fair, transparent, and effective practices. This article reviews the core concepts of Canadian competitive bidding practices when contracting for goods and services. By exploring the interplay between these concepts, readers will gain valuable insights into navigating the complexities […]
Author : Chris Sheel Delivering major capital projects on time and on budget has always been a challenging and elusive goal. Even more so now, seasoned professionals in the construction industry have seen budgets disrupted considerably by fluctuations in pricing and lead times that have shredded carefully drafted cost estimates and project schedules. Budgets previously […]
Author : Graham Allen Procurement planning is foundational to preparing and issuing a successful solicitation. The following article outlines the solicitation process and while not all steps have equal weight all steps should be considered. To quote Yogi Berra, the famous baseball player and coach: “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end […]
Author : Edward Claringbold Over the past three years, I have been the Procurement Lead for the First Nation Procurement Policy at my organisation. In late 2020, we took a bold step into the unknown by releasing the First Nation Procurement Policy, which was collaboratively designed and written with our First Nation Partners. Our aim […]
Author : Trish Rafuse As a seasoned public procurement professional you have likely taken your share of procurement related courses in purchasing. You probably have a procurement certification, or two, and are left wondering where your own professional development can go from here. Conversely you may be a newer procurement staff who are working though […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Author: Larry Berglund The anchoring effect in decisions can be a self-limiting influence. Our awareness of past practices has a large affect on our future decisions. Our options moving forward are based on what we know and any deviations invite a sense of risk. What we did last month to run a competitive process or […]
Author: Larry Berglund Major global events have been impacting supply chains for years: the shift from a fossil fuel energy supply to renewables; the digitalization of information; the electrification of transportation; the need for decarbonization to reduce emissions; eliminating plastics and waste; the pandemic; the circular economy; global warming; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) […]
Author: Liz Busch Do you feel that your organization may not be strategically procuring the goods, services and construction it needs? You’re not alone! Some organizations manage procurement reactively, where each acquisition is a stand-alone procurement once a need is identified which can ultimately result in multiple separate procurements for similar commodities. Overall, this approach […]
Author: Liz Busch Public sector entities rely on the expertise and hard work of their contractors to successfully deliver on their mandates. Therefore, the relationships between the public sector and vendors are vital to the smooth operation of any government organization. But how can government employees ensure these positive vendor relationships while still maintaining control […]
Author: Larry Berglund Negotiation competencies are a must in procurement. Whether in the private or public sector, you are always negotiating. Some of the challenges to expect include: The Day you meet Goliath It’s inevitable that you will be involved in doing a deal with an oligopolistic market leader. Characterized as one of a few […]
Author: Liz Busch Trade agreement obligations for government procurement projects are not easy to understand, which makes it difficult to determine compliancy. This becomes more complex when more than one trade agreement applies, as the procurement must comply with all. This article will address two trade agreements – the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and […]