Government Procurement & Probity
Overview
Over recent years, our governments have closely examined their core business competencies in the procurement of goods and services. They have also scrutinised the ways in which reliance can be placed on the private sector to secure for tax payers better value for money, particularly through outsourcing. Competitive tendering and contracting (CTC) responded to the need for government managers to best deliver quality services by choosing the best provider for the task at hand.
Our regulatory and government affairs practice stays abreast of the ongoing and dynamic development of government procurement, policy and probity in the acquisition of goods and services, and related commercial transactions.
Our skills base is founded on acting for both public and private sector clients in the context of a wide range of commercial transactions that are implemented in a government regulatory environment. Our service is attuned to government practice and procedure, and oriented to a commercially realistic outcome.
In advising clients, we adopt a commercial, strategic approach to tendering solutions. For complex procurements, a flexible tender strategy may be required. Evaluation and probity plans should lead to an outcome acknowledged by all bidders as being fair, transparent and meeting ethical and probity requirements. Our experience is that a sound procurement process provides the basis for contract delivery that meets specifications, is on time and within budget.
Our close working knowledge of all aspects of Commonwealth Government accountability measures include the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the recently released Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines 2005.
The new framework provides that value for money is the core principle governing Commonwealth procurement and is underpinned by four supporting principles:
Over recent years, our governments have closely examined their core business competencies in the procurement of goods and services. They have also scrutinised the ways in which reliance can be placed on the private sector to secure for tax payers better value for money, particularly through outsourcing. Competitive tendering and contracting (CTC) responded to the need for government managers to best deliver quality services by choosing the best provider for the task at hand.
Our regulatory and government affairs practice stays abreast of the ongoing and dynamic development of government procurement, policy and probity in the acquisition of goods and services, and related commercial transactions.
Our skills base is founded on acting for both public and private sector clients in the context of a wide range of commercial transactions that are implemented in a government regulatory environment. Our service is attuned to government practice and procedure, and oriented to a commercially realistic outcome.
In advising clients, we adopt a commercial, strategic approach to tendering solutions. For complex procurements, a flexible tender strategy may be required. Evaluation and probity plans should lead to an outcome acknowledged by all bidders as being fair, transparent and meeting ethical and probity requirements. Our experience is that a sound procurement process provides the basis for contract delivery that meets specifications, is on time and within budget.
Our close working knowledge of all aspects of Commonwealth Government accountability measures include the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the recently released Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines 2005.
The new framework provides that value for money is the core principle governing Commonwealth procurement and is underpinned by four supporting principles:
- efficiency and effectiveness
- accountancy and transparency
- ethics
- industry development.
- instruments of delegation and administrative arrangements providing the formal line of legal authority, and hence accountability, from the CEO to the relevant official
- the role of the Auditor General in reviewing all major Commonwealth transactions and review of these reports by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit
- parliamentary processes (ministerial accountability to Parliament, enquiries by Senate and House Committees, including the Joint Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee; and adhoc reviews by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit)
- policy requirements for both particular projects and more generally under the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, Finance Ministers' Orders and Chief Executive Instructions (CEIs).