All Learning Content
Four Ways to Address Risk Aversion in Public Procurement
Feb 2, 2017
Recently, we wrote about the issue of risk and in particular the risk-averse attitude that many public sector procurement staff still appear to hold. The topic was discussed at our Public Spend Forum Exchange kick-off meeting recently, where leaders from different parts of the UK public sector...
IT Modernization: Can “Share-in-Savings” Do the Trick?
Feb 2, 2017
At the beginning of the millennium, I was the leading advocate, along with then-Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), of an innovative form of contracting called “share-in-savings.” The basic idea was that contractors would be paid, all or in part, through the savings their efforts generated.
To me, the main...
Should Private Sector Buyers Move into the Public Sphere?
Feb 2, 2017
Talking to a very senior government procurement executive recently, I was told that their latest recruits included several from the top blue-chip consulting firms. That got me thinking – why would a relatively high-flying consultant (or manager in any leading private sector businesses), let’s...
The Law of Unintended Consequences Drives Public Procurement To Frameworks
Feb 2, 2017
Like most governments and the Commission itself, the UK government wants to make public procurement more transparent and open up contracts to more suppliers, including smaller firms (SMEs). But sometimes the “law of unintended consequences” kicks in. That means we see outcomes that are not the...
Public Procurement News Round-up | 2/1/2017
Feb 2, 2017
Utah Procurement Exec Facing “Harassment Audit” from Suppliers
The Salt Lake Tribune has an interesting story about the state’s Chief Procurement Officer Kent Beers, who has been repeatedly questioned over the award of an online procurement software contract to SciQuest. According to the...
Public Spend Forum Newswire | 2/1/2017
Feb 2, 2017
Utah Procurement Exec Facing “Harassment Audit” from Suppliers
The Salt Lake Tribune has an interesting story about the state’s Chief Procurement Officer Kent Beers, who has been repeatedly questioned over the award of an online procurement software contract to SciQuest. According to the...
Public Procurement News Round-up | 1/31/2017
Feb 1, 2017
Republicans Issue Resolution to Repeal Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Rule
Republicans in the House and Senate issued a joint resolution of disapproval yesterday to block President Barack Obama’s “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” executive order, which required federal contractors bidding on...
Public Spend Forum Newswire | 1/31/2017
Feb 1, 2017
Republicans Issue Resolution to Repeal Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Rule
Republicans in the House and Senate issued a joint resolution of disapproval yesterday to block President Barack Obama’s “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” executive order, which required federal contractors bidding on...
Serco and Risk in Government Contracts
Jan 31, 2017
Rupert Soames, CEO of outsourcing firm Serco, appeared before the Public Administration Committee in the UK parliament last week, as part of a review of the civil service. He made some comments which we find troubling—from the point of view of Serco shareholders, that is, rather than in terms of...
Public Spend Forum Newswire | 1/30/2017
Jan 31, 2017
State Procurement Practices Infographic
The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) has published an infographic highlighting data from its 2016 Survey of State Procurement Practices. The survey showed that 85% of states have a single chief procurement officer, and that the use...
Trump, Government Procurement and the Danger of Trade Wars
Jan 31, 2017
Donald Trump’s inauguration speech made no concessions to those hoping for a softer, more inclusive tone than he adopted though his campaign. Amongst the rhetoric and confidence, his message of “America first” seems to suggest the beginning of a protectionist age, with an end to the...
Public Procurement News Round-up | 1/30/2017
Jan 31, 2017
State Procurement Practices Infographic
The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) has published an infographic highlighting data from its 2016 Survey of State Procurement Practices. The survey showed that 85% of states have a single chief procurement officer, and that the use...
