Orion Group’s Post

Failure is Orphan, Success has many Fathers! When a project is on the brink of failure, who steps in to turn things around? Skilled professional in construction, contract management and procurement play a pivotal role in steering troubled projects back on course. The right team can mean the difference between failure and success. #projectmanagementprofessional #procurement #contractmanagement #HR #Hiring #Follower #constructionmanagement

THE MOST TAINTED DEPARTMENT: PROCUREMENT Time and time again we hear rumours and allegations of fraud associated with procurement but how does it continue to happen? 1. Lack of audits- There should be more reviews done after projects or purchasing to assess if there was any fraud going on. 2. "Inside Man/Job" - Leaking of sensitive information continue to taint this department. It is usually in the form of disclosing quotations of other competitors so that your favourite may offer unfair price reduction. 3. Deliberate delay of projects- Some contractors try to stall project completion because they hope they can keep negotiating for more money. #procurement

Contract Management in Procurement

Arjen, you present a compelling overview of contract management complexities. I'm curious about your perspective on how you believe generative AI might further transform this field. Could it enhance contract customization and compliance monitoring, or others perhaps? Eager to understand your thoughts and I invite others to weigh in on the outcome of this shift.

𝑰𝒔 𝒂 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑷𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒀𝒐𝒖? (𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝐈𝐈 - 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒙 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕) My previous post explored basic purchasing within the public sector. But for those seeking a more project-oriented career path, complex procurement may be the perfect fit. Complex procurement covers activities like formal bidding processes and in-depth contract negotiations. These high-stakes initiatives often involve Request For Proposals (RFPs), Request For Qualifications (RFQs), and Request For Offers (RFOs). With these methods, contractor selection is based on qualitative criteria, not just price. So what sets the top complex purchasers apart? Let's look at the key skills: 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: As with basic purchasing, a strong commitment to transparency and ethical decision-making is key. Managing multi-million dollar contracts requires maintaining the public's trust. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Complex procurement projects need meticulous planning and coordination. Strong project management skills keep these initiatives on track. 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The ability to skillfully negotiate contract terms, pricing, and performance is crucial. Purchasers must balance agency needs with vendor interests. 𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐰: A good understanding of procurement laws, rules, and regulations is critical. All purchasers must comply with these requirements. Yes, you’ll need the help of your agency’s legal counsel when developing procurements and contracts. But you should read the 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 & 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 and be familiar with basic procurement statutes. 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥: With so many moving parts, a meticulous eye for detail is vital. Purchasers must review documents thoroughly and maintain comprehensive records. If you have these core competencies and enjoy a good challenge, a career in public sector complex procurement may be right for you. It's a dynamic field that lets you flex your project management skills, hone your negotiation abilities and make a real difference to the State. #TexasStateGovernment #TexasProcurement #TXStateLeadership #PublicSectorPurchasing

Being a manager in the government contracting industry is no easy feat. Not only do you have to navigate complex regulations and requirements, but you also have to ensure that your team is performing at their best. So, what are the hardest activities that management of a government contractor have to master in order to be successful? 🤔 One of the biggest challenges is staying on top of all the regulations and compliance standards that come with working for the government. From navigating the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to ensuring that all your contracts are in compliance with government standards, it can be a lot to keep track of. That's why it's crucial for managers in this industry to stay up-to-date on all the latest regulations and requirements, and to have a solid understanding of how they apply to their specific contracts. Another tough aspect of management in government contracting is effectively managing subcontractors and vendors. When you're working on a government contract, chances are you'll be working with a number of subcontractors and vendors to help get the job done. This can add a layer of complexity to your role as a manager, as you'll need to ensure that all parties are working together seamlessly and are meeting the requirements of the contract. Communication is key in any industry, but it's especially crucial in government contracting. Managers in this field need to be able to effectively communicate with their team, their clients, and other stakeholders to ensure that all parties are on the same page and working towards a common goal. This can be challenging, especially when dealing with government agencies and other organizations with their own unique communication styles. In addition to mastering these tough activities, successful management in government contracting also requires strong leadership skills, the ability to think strategically, and a knack for problem-solving. It's a tough job, but with the right skills and mindset, it can be incredibly rewarding. So, if you're a manager in the government contracting industry, don't be afraid to embrace these challenges head-on. By mastering these tough activities, you'll be well on your way to success in this fast-paced and dynamic industry. 💪 #GovernmentContracting #Regulations #Compliance #LeadershipSkills #CommunicationSkills #ProblemSolving #ManagementChallenges #SuccessTips #ContractManagement #strategicthinking

Vacancy announcement Job Title: Tender Officer Job Description As a Tender Officer, your primary responsibility will be to oversee the tendering process within the organization. You will play a crucial role in ensuring that the tendering procedures are executed efficiently and effectively, while adhering to the relevant laws, regulations, and company policies. Your role will involve coordinating and managing all aspects of tenders, from initial planning to submission and post-tender activities. Responsibilities: 1. Tender Process Management: - Review and analyze tender documents, identifying key requirements and deliverables. - Develop and implement strategies for successful tender submissions. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather necessary information and documentation for tender responses. - Ensure all tender documents are prepared accurately and submitted within the specified deadlines. - Monitor and track the status of tenders, facilitate clarifications, and address any queries or concerns. 2. Bid Preparation: - Prepare high-quality bid proposals, tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of each tender. - Conduct thorough research to understand the market and competitors, and develop strategies to enhance the chances of winning tenders. - Coordinate with relevant departments to gather technical information, pricing details, and other specifications required for tender submissions. - Write persuasive and compelling content, showcasing the company's strengths, capabilities, and unique selling points. - Ensure compliance with all tender requirements, including formats, documentation, terms, and conditions. 3. Tender Evaluation and Analysis: - Facilitate the evaluation process of received tenders, ensuring compliance with criteria and guidelines. - Analyze market trends, pricing, and risk factors to identify opportunities and risks associated with specific tenders. - Prepare reports and presentations summarizing tender evaluation outcomes, including recommendations for management decisions. 4. Compliance and Documentation: - Ensure that all tendering activities are conducted in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. - Maintain accurate records of all tender-related documents, correspondence, and communications. - Ensure confidentiality and security of sensitive information throughout the tendering process. - Assist in the development and improvement of tendering policies and processes. Qualifications and Skills: - Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Procurement, or a related field.

procurement audits: procurement audit is the last stage of procurement and therefore a crucial finale of measuring professionalism and value for money, in this context the following are the importance of procurement audit. 1.a yardstick for consumer/beneficiary satisfaction. when procurement operations are audited the information helps to measure the level of satisfaction in reference to expected targets initially in the procurement work plan and key performance indicates(KPIs). 2. Determines how cost effective, efficient and smooth the operation has been conducted. cost cutting and savings are the major responsibilities of procurement therefore harnessing the process while maintaining the quality and quantity as expected of the procurement practitioners that directly harmonies organisation spend patterns hence fourth to ascertain this fact is fundamental through procurement audits. 3.Identifying gaps and discrepancies for improvement. through analysis of procurement processes, logical and informed recommendations are derived as corrective measures, mitigation strategies and optimisation approaches to be leveraged in the next financial year. 4. Ensures procurement and disposal unit is on check.As a requirement that the professionals mandated to execute the operations must be with impeccable standards of integrity, professionalism, Maximize their competency, it's fundamental that they are evaluated in response to their line of duties henceforth procurement audits. generally when this is conducted well, the organisation will understand the trajectory they are following, there will be strategic spending, continuous improvements, proper planning and informed decision making, more transparency and integrity in procurement daily activities hence value for money.

In the public sector, the procurement process entails the government or public bodies obtaining commodities, services, or works. It seeks to guarantee value for money, fairness, and transparency. This is a general summary: 1. **Needs Assessment**: Finding and characterizing the public entity's needs is the first step in the procedure. This entails figuring out requirements and specifications. 2. **Planning and Budgeting** : Planning entails laying out the procurement plan, including budgetary allocation, sourcing procedures, and timetables. It guarantees the effective utilization of resources. 3. **Tendering**: To request bids from suppliers or contractors, public organizations typically use competitive bidding. An official tendering procedure is frequently used to do this, in which interested parties reply to an invitation to tender (ITT) or request for proposals (RFP). 4. **Evaluation**: Predetermined standards, including cost, quality, and specification conformance, are used to assess submissions. This phase guarantees a merit-based, equitable selection process. 5. **Awarding Contracts**: Based on the evaluation, the best bidder is given the contract. A contract agreement formalizes the terms and circumstances. 6. **Contract Management**: After a contract is granted, it is overseen to make sure the contractor or supplier fulfills their responsibilities. This include keeping an eye on performance, resolving conflicts, and guaranteeing that the terms of the contract are followed. 7. **Audit **: To make sure that rules are followed and to evaluate performance, the procurement process is audited and reviewed. Accountability and openness are enhanced by reporting. Laws and regulations govern the public procurement process to guard against corruption and guarantee prudent use of public monies.

Navigating legislative changes can be daunting. 🔄 The new Procurement Act looms on the horizon, signalling a sea change in how we tender, evaluate, and manage contracts. With this pivotal shift comes the opportunity to reassess and strengthen your team's approach to procurement. Bringing in an interim contractor could help. 🎯 They specialise in adaptation, offering a fresh perspective honed by diverse experiences across sectors. Here's how they could fortify your preparations: 1. Expertise on tap: They bring a wealth of knowledge and are often well-versed in the emergent legal frameworks. 2. Agility: A seasoned interim can hit the ground running, accelerating your team's adaptation process. 3. Objective analysis: With an external viewpoint, they can identify gaps and opportunities that might be harder to spot from the inside. Butler Ross already have interim contractors doing this very job for our clients. If you'd like your organisation to benefit from bringing in similar expertise then get in touch today - 07825 585540 / jonathan.ross@butlerross.co.uk #ProcurementAct #ChangeManagement #InterimExpertise