Supplier eZine: an email newsletter from OGCbuying.solutions

Return to front cover

Transforming Government Procurement

By OGCbuying.solutions

On Tuesday 22 January the Financial Secretary to the Treasury John Healey announced major changes in government procurement with the publication of the Transforming Government Procurement document.

Photograph showing the houses of parliament

This document confirms that procurement is centre stage in the Government's priorities and that it is placing its faith in OGC to deliver the changes necessary to bring about a step change in the way procurement is conducted in central government.

As a result, OGC will be given stronger powers to set out the high standards of performance required, monitor departments' performance against them, insist improvements are made where necessary and demand departmental collaboration where that improves value for money.

Buying Solutions, as an executive agency of OGC, will be aligned closely with OGC and the procurement reform strategy.

This is good news and a massive opportunity. And, as might be expected with any major change initiative, we at Buying Solutions will need to transform ourselves in order to strengthen our capacity in category and contract management, and prepare for a single approach to sourcing (SATS) method of procurement.

The Transforming Government Procurement document states that Buying Solutions 'experience in establishing government-wide procurement contracts means that it is well placed to become the Government's principal deliverer in its single approach to sourcing'.

What does this change mean for you and your organisation you might ask? At the moment we don't have the answers. We know that the way Buying Solutions operates will change fundamentally but the details of how and when that might impact on you as a supplier is not yet clear.

Challenging times are ahead and we hope you feel as positive about the changes as we do at Buying Solutions. Together we can help to make a huge contribution to improving the effectiveness of public sector procurement and we look forward to a closer and more productive relationship.

As our strategy and implementation plans become clearer we will keep you informed and, in the meantime, if you need further information, please talk to your contract manager. The Transforming Government Procurement document can be downloaded from the Treasury's website: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

Back to top

© OGCbuying.solutions 2007