IS PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN ALBERTA BROKEN?

We have been asked from time to time to comment on public procurement practices in Alberta. In response we have hosted several events for clarifying existing policies and practices of the federal, provincial and municipal governments.  Recently, we have been encouraged to go further and obtain the perspective of Alberta contractors, starting with this survey.

We’d like your help – and please send the survey notice to others. Your input will be confidential with only aggregate information included in the final report. The survey will be open throughout May 2018 with the results released in September at the Supply Chain Management Association’s Conference – September 8th at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel. (ABCtech Members will receive notice of the event and the discounted rate.)

First, What is Public Procurement?  Reference: OECD

Public procurement refers to the purchase by governments and state-owned enterprises of goods, services and works. The public procurement process is the sequence of activities starting with the assessment of needs through awards to contract management and final payment.

As public procurement accounts for a substantial portion of the taxpayers’ money, governments are expected to carry it out efficiently and with high standards of conduct in order to ensure high quality of service delivery and safeguard the public interest.

Public procurement remains the government activity most vulnerable to waste, fraud and corruption due to the size of the financial flows involved.