An introductory text on public procurement and contract administration, this book covers the public procurement process; procurement planning; requesting, receiving and evaluating bids and proposals; contract negotiations and award; and contract administration (from commencement to close-out). A glossary of terms used in the text is also included, with suggestions for further reading.
Local Content in Procurement is the first book of its kind. Recognizing the substantial economic and social value brought to host countries and local communities through the procurement practices of large private and public companies, this book by Dr Michael Warner – Director of the consultancy firm Local Content Solutions and former architect of the Local Content standards for BG Group – provides a first-hand account of the Local Content regulations, strategies and procurement processes needed to realise these social benefits. Acknowledging that the employment and industrial benefits of large-scale procurement have been sorely overlooked, this book is both a how-to manual and a thoughtful insight into the challenge of creating sustainable jobs and competitive national industries through expenditure on bought-in goods and services. With literally trillions of dollars of goods and services being procured over the next ten years in exploring and developing for oil, gas and mineral resources across the globe, the book focuses on these sectors, yet also has wide application to the utilities, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and defence sectors. Local Content in Procurement has been written for those working for the procurement, strategy and social responsibility departments of major private and public companies and international suppliers, for industrial and economic policy-makers and regulators of local content, and for all those involved in the management of procurement expenditure to develop national and local industries.
From modest beginnings in the early 1990's, a reform movement in the regulation of public procurement has mushroomed into a global imperative. Two fundamental values of international free trade policy value for money and the deterrence of corruption have brought intense scrutiny to bear on public procurement practices in nearly every country. Now international standards (notably those of the WTO and the EU) must be met if a trading nation is to take its place in the global markets. This collection of essays offers fifteen distinct views on the current status and trends in public procurement and its various aspects. From general discussion of setup, overcoming obstacles, ensuring transparency, and compliance with international rules to specific issues raised in economies as diverse as Kosovo, China, and the United States, Public Procurement: The Continuing Revolution provides a great wealth of insight and information. Although the emphasis throughout is on legal issues, the contributors include not only lawyers but also economists and specialists in purchasing practice. In addition, this is the first book to note the relatively recent trend, in developed countries, toward a less prescriptive, more flexible approach to regulation in which a degree of transparency is sacrificed. The question of how this trend will affect international procurement regimes is perhaps the most vital and interesting aspect of current theory and practice in the field. Most of these essays were originally presented as papers at an international conference hosted by the Public Procurement Research Group at the University of Nottingham in September 2001.
How can excellence in the teaching of research methods be encouraged and ensured? This question has become increasingly important following the adoption of research methodology as a core part of many postgraduate and undergraduate courses. There has, however, been little discussion about the aims and methods of teaching the subject. In this volume; a number of authors from a variety of countries and disciplines employ their knowledge and experience towards the development of a 'pedagogical culture' in research methods. Their aim is to establish the extent of common concerns and challenges and to demonstrate ways in which these are being met. Intended to provide both a stimulus and source materials for the development of a more substantial and systematic literature in the field, the book will be of great interest to all those teaching research methods courses within social science disciplines.
This book presents a range of cutting edge perspectives on subjects which are central to improving purchasing performance, including supply chain management, outsourcing and partnership, professional development, IT and e-commerce, and performance evaluation.
Since the 1990s, government at all levels is under increasing pressure to do more with less. However, despite the U.S. government spending about 15 to 20 percent of its GDP on contracts for goods and services, there is a paucity of reference books for public procurement officials and very few textbooks for courses on the subject. Filling this void, the International Handbook of Public Procurement provides the knowledge necessary to understand how procurement works and how to improve the cost-effectiveness of procurement systems. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the book focuses on the managerial, economic, political, and legal aspects of this topic. It begins with a conceptual framework and highlights various reforms occurring in certain countries. By examining these improvements, readers are able to apply this knowledge to their own strategies. The next section presents selected cases that illustrate the public procurement process, examining systems in various nations including Germany, China, South Africa, Cambodia, Uganda, and Estonia. The book also discusses the rise of electronic procurement systems (E-procurement) and reviews the benefits of these efficient systems. Other topics presented in this comprehensive volume include practical discussions on contract negotiations, bidding, price strategies and cost analysis, and an insightful chapter on the market’s response to contract award announcements. A virtual encyclopedia from numerous international experts, this book was assembled by Khi V. Thai, Professor at Florida Atlantic University and Editor of the Journal of Public Procurement. Dr. Thai has provided technical assistance in the area of public procurement to governments across the world. Empowering those on all sides of the issue, this volume dispenses advice valuable to government officials and contractors, as well as providing a comprehensive text for public administration students.
The term 'third sector' describes a range of voluntary and community sector organisations including small local community groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts and co-operatives. Although public service delivery has often been seen as a choice between direct state provision and the use of the private sector, third sector organisations offer an alternative. This NAO report examines how government departments and other funders can best work with the third sector to achieve value for money in public services. The report draws a number of conclusions and recommendations for government to help to promote new ways of working with the sector and to embed new practices across their funding streams, both at a strategic level and an operational level. These include the need to identify beacon funders at all levels of government, to act as centres of expertise and help spread good practice; and improved training to enable real partnerships between funding and service suppliers.
The OECD Principles for Integrity in Public Procurement are a ground-breaking instrument that promotes good governance in the entire procurement cycle, from needs assessment to contract management.
