E-DRUG: Alternative procurement method for tendering? (2)
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Dear e-Druggers,
Rob raises a fascinating question. It goes to the crux of the disucssions which are currently taking place across public sector organisations in the UK.
How do we combine the principles of transparency (usually demonstrated through competitive tendering) whilst reducing lead times and bureaucracy associated with tendering?
One solution in the UK has been for large central purchasing bodies (such as the Office of Government Commerce, and their commercial buying arm) collating usage data across organisations, conducting tenders and setting up framework agreements with 'approved' suppliers. Smaller public sector organisations can then call off from these frameworks or conduct mini-competitions among the 'approved' suppliers.
Perhaps an alternative model to the one described in Rob's e-mail would be to employ one of the larger public sector buyers such as a UN agency as a central purchasing body?
regards
Kieran McGregor
Procurement consultant
kieran_mcgregor@yahoo.com
E-DRUG: Alternative procurement method for tendering? (3)
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Dear e-Druggers,
First of all I want to thank Rob for tabling this interesting topic. I am looking forward to reading all the comments regarding, what I feel should be, our continuous quest to explore, develop and implement alternative ways of managing supply chains more transparently, more cost effective and with considerably less procedural delays. Especially in resource limited environments.
I have some experience in working under “challenging” circumstances in resource limited environments. Besides all the technical, operational and procedural challenges we face on a daily basis (stable/fast internet & IT environment, level of education, lack of clear policies, lack of co-operation, to name but a few) in most cases we also have to deal with the lack of political will to support the implementation of any transparent system. However, once this major hurdle is taken, which I feel is feasible with continued donor pressure and support, I do agree with Rob that eSolutions in its broadest context might offer us an interesting way forward in our quest.
I am aware of some successful implementations in Australia and New Zealand but I am curious to learn if there is anyone out there that actually has hands on experience with the successful implementation of eProcurement, eTendering, eEvaluation or eAnything in a limited resource environment or one of the (unlimited resource) UN procurement agencies such as Unicef, IAPSO, etc.
With kindest personal regards,
Erwin Lassooy
SCM Consultant
PO Box 23214
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
elassooy@yahoo.com