News

Procurement Fraud! Will it Ever Stop? The perpetrators of procurement fraud have almost endless opportunities to commit fraud. We have another example for you. It concerns construction procurement, so there is no surprise there. The case investigated included bids for projects, some of which was either (1) fraudulent or (2) from a company owned by […]

BREXIT – PROCUREMENT IMPLICATIONS We are all sated with Brexit and Remain. The whole process hasn’t lacked media exposure. We haven’t seen anything aimed at the impact the final decision will have on procurement. Let us assume the verdict is to leave the EU. There is an argument that this will rid procurement of the […]

Contract Law – Obiter Dicta What is said by a court, by way of statements of law which go beyond the requirements of the specific case and which lay down a rule that is irrelevant or unnecessary for the purpose in hand, are called obiter dicta. “Obiter dicta” literally translates as “things said by the […]

WHY ISN’T FRAUD FOUND EARLIER? – AN INDICTMENT! We have, in the past, heard our clients say ‘It couldn’t happen here.’ This is a genuinely held belief when it comes to fraudulent practice. Our professional work requires continuing research into ‘goings on’ that impact on our work and our client’s corporate reputation. Events at the […]

LETTERS OF INTENT THE FIVE GOLDEN RULES There are 5 golden rules for Letters of Intent (LOI)! Only permit their use in exceptional circumstances Prescribe who has the authority and accountability to issue them Set a financial limit that must not be exceeded by the contractor Define what has been agreed (and not agreed) at […]

Procurement Research – Supply Market Knowledge is an Asset An investment, by large organisations, in procurement research is necessary as a competitive advantage. International competition has a significant impact on the ability to differentiate products and services from competing organisations. Procurement research requires a range of skills and this application that buyers do not have the […]

Contract Dispute – Behind the Scenes Procurement specialists, almost inevitably, will get involved in contract disputes. They will expand considerable energy seeking to find a solution to the dispute. Being informed about the other sides position is a challenge. Research for a client, led us to a 2008 legal case Jacobs UK Ltd v Skidmore […]