BiP endorses ten essential principles for commissioning and procurement
2 June 2010
The Strategic Advisory Board of BiP Solutions Ltd – the leading provider of cutting-edge solutions and services that help optimise supply chain value – has set out ten principles that it believes should be followed to commission and procure sustainable and affordable quality public services.
In a positioning statement issued through BiP, the Strategic Advisory Board highlights the critical role that commissioning must have in the future on public service delivery, and states that procurement is only one means of securing commissioning decisions.
The timing of the positioning statement coincides with the start of a newly elected UK coalition government, which has set out its ambitions in respect of rapidly reducing the public deficit, while maintaining high quality, affordable, public services; especially for those within vulnerable communities within our society.
In a changing political landscape, with severe financial constraints, it is imperative that if core public services are to be maintained, there is wide-ranging fresh thinking on the process of commissioning public services. Including acceptance that innovative delivery is imperative and that there will be a plurality of providers from public, private, social enterprise and third sectors.
Strategic commissioning recognises needs and aspirations and addresses these on the basis of neutrality amongst providers. Other principles within the positioning statement highlight the important role of procurement in driving public and social policy, the need for greater openness and transparency in supply chains and ensuring that ‘win-win’ outcomes are achieved for all stakeholders, buyers, suppliers and end-users.
The Strategic Advisory Board has considerable experience within public sector commissioning and procurement. While aligned with BiP, it remains independent of the company’s operational and executive board structures. The positioning statement reflects the combined expertise and thinking of its members, and has been formally endorsed by BiP. The company will be engaging with its public and private sector clients, government and the media to ensure that the contents of the positioning statement are widely communicated.
Ron Burges, CEO of BiP Solutions, said: “It is clear that to address the financial challenges now facing the new coalition government and the wider public sector, more focus must be given to outcome specifications driven through a process of strategic commissioning. The Strategic Advisory Board’s positioning statement is a highly important, timely contribution to stimulate the debate on how our public services are delivered. BiP fully endorse the ten principles that the Strategic Advisory Board have established. We believe they provide a framework for achieving the delivery of sustainable, affordable, quality outcome driven public services.”
John Tizard, member of the Strategic Advisory Board and Director of the Centre for Public Service Partnerships (CPSP@LGiU), said: "Effective strategic commissioning and indeed de-commissioning will be fundamental to addressing public need and aspiration at a time of severe public expenditure restraint and cuts. Strategic commissioning should drive all decisions about resource allocation and what services will and will not be available. Effective public procurement will be essential. These principles show the linkage between commissioning and procurement; and the imperative to always focus on outcomes and the public value. The principles underpin the case that in procurement 'value' must be about quality and added social, environment and economic benefits not simply price.”
The Strategic Advisory Board hope that other commissioning and procurement experts, political leaders, academics, and practitioners’ will endorse these principles and help drive forward the delivery of affordable quality services that serve the interests of all stakeholders.
The full positioning statement is available in BiP’s corporate brochure, which can be downloaded at www.bipcorporate.com
