Next stages

Transparency and communication at an agency level if the role of procurement is further federated. Has anyone polled vendors directly about their experiences with federated procurement?

The current procurement system states it is mandatory for government agencies to use suppliers on the panel. Unfortunately this is not the case as many departments use alternative suppliers directly usually due to lower negotiated costs.

Panel providers have been through a rigorous procedure to become a provider and it is very dissapointing that departments to not honour this committment.

The current tendering process is very complex and time consuming and discourages suppliers from taking part, especially when departments have no intention of changing providers and are getting a number of quotes to ensure they are getting the most cost effective price.

When panels are established agencies have a smaller number of providers to choose from instead of a long list leading to less research time. Agencies can also be confident that panel providers have been approved to provide a certain level of service over an unknown provider and as prices are agreed over a long period of time are not subject to price increases year on year ensuring valeu for money.