Report comment

The issue on procurement is really very simple. The more complex the process, the larger the organisation and the more removed the client is from the purchasing the more expensive it gets.

The current framework system is complex and alienates most companies as only large organisations can afford to enter the competition. Nimble, creative and small companies cannot get past the criteria for selection which demands a lot of 0000's for turnover. Absurdly most of the scoring relies on self assessment- for example a sexist organisation with a beautifully crafted diversity and health and safety policy will score highly. Most of the scoring criteria are on statutory requirement which you have to comply with so it is pointless judging policies- much better to look at the diversity of the organisation and its record at meeting payments and staff turnover.

There is no reason why consultant fees for government work should not be fixed so that the real competition is on the design, performance and delivery. Those who are making the selection need to be experienced and skilled at looking at the submissions so that it is not a meaningless tick box exercise and innovation can be understood.

Without an intelligent client we will continue to have unintelligent processes for procurement. Refining the procedure that is in place at the moment will only make matters worse. The aspiration that government work (40% of construction) should be farmed out to half a dozen large contracting organisations will be a disaster. The system needs to change not enhanced.