Monthly Archives: September 2014

Our research has shown widespread criticism of Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) processes from those who are on the receiving end of voluminous documents issued by the public sector. PQQ’s are, of course, issued by the private sector but, typically, are less demanding in the detail. Too many public sector PQQ processes amount to little more than […]

Some of our most difficult negotiations are dealing with open book accounting. The concept is now widely known, but ensuring that suppliers will be receptive to making open book accounting a contractual reality is quite another matter. The supplier’s pricing decisions have, historically, been steeped in mystery and there remains a culture whereby the detail […]

Contract management requires the application of a wide range of knowledge and skills in very specific circumstances. A structured process is absolutely necessary to facilitate establishing facts, forming relationships and reporting salient information to stakeholders. Our recent research into facets of contract management led us to researching a dispute between South West Water Services Ltd […]

This update is aimed at those in the public sector who summarily dismiss the private sector organisations who have been unsuccessful with their tenders. It is also designed to help private sector organisations who are very unhappy at the manner in which they are brushed off by some public sector buyers.  In the Court of […]

We receive many queries from clients who are asking us ‘Whose contract conditions apply?’ The starting point is often the Excello case. We suspect that the whole of the procurement profession has studied this case, very diligently. The circumstances of each situation needs to be clearly understood before reaching a conclusion. We monitor legal cases […]

Supplier’s financial position We are always advising clients to monitor a supplier’s financial position. Knowing the position at the time we obtain annual reports is no longer enough, given the incidence of financial failures. We advocate that it is a strategic role for procurement to undertake monitoring supplier’s finances. It is pertinent to read the […]