DCU Business School - Developments at DCUBS
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Paul Davis co-authors Government 10 Step Guide to Smarter Procurement 28th July 2009 |
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The
handbook was published by the Tánaiste and Minister for
Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Ms Mary Coughlan, T.D.,
together with the Minister of State at the Department of
Finance, Dr Martin Manseragh, T.D. It coincided with her
launching the Report of the Procurement Innovation Group,
"Using Public
Procurement to Stimulate Innovation and SME Access to Public
Contracts". The
Tánaiste explained that the purpose of this initiative is
threefold. "Firstly, the policies and recommendations of the
Procurement Innovation Group are designed to stimulate
innovative business activity in Ireland, while improving the
purchase, delivery and efficiency of public sector goods and
services. Secondly, the initiative seeks to ensure a level
playing field for all innovative companies wishing to
participate in public tendering. Thirdly, the initiative
aims to result in greater access for SME companies to public
sector contracts." "The public sector is a particularly important market for small businesses, so improving our public procurement practices by removing obstacles and boosting the involvement of SMEs is a key priority. Increasing the levels of SMEs bidding for public contracts should also result in higher competition, leading to better value for money and efficiencies for contracting authorities". Minister Martin Mansergh, whose Department is charged with oversight of the public procurement process, said: "Public procurement is an essential element of delivering better public services in Ireland. By fully embracing leading-edge procurement practices the Government can provide an important stimulus for investment in innovation by the wider business community. Good procurement practice will then enable the identification and procurement of those innovative solutions that provide long-term quality, value for money and sustainability". The Tánaiste stressed, "This is a practical initiative in public sector reform that will lead to tangible benefits for our economy and the citizens served by the public service. We hope that this will be the beginning of a new era, leading to smarter procurement of innovative goods and services, better value for the taxpayer and more public sector business for smaller enterprises". In
order to build procurement capability in public sector
staff, the
National Public Policy Procurement Unit (NPPPU) in the
Department of Finance is endorsing the MBS in Strategic
Procurement provided by DCU Business School. The MBS in Strategic Procurement is the first programme of its kind in Ireland and one of only two such programmes in Europe, which builds the capacity for strategic thinking in procurement and aims to meet the changing skills requirements for professionals either engaged in or working closely with the procurement function. The programme is offered on a part-time basis over two years, commencing in autumn, and is delivered by block release on three days per month, i.e., Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Graduates of the MBS in Strategic Procurement will be eligible to apply for full membership of The Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (IIPMM). |