Procurement affects and is affected by the public sector organization as a whole, and the community it serves, whether at the local, state, or national level. Therefore, participation in the collaborative development and adoption of Public Procurement Values and Guiding Principles by all stakeholders is desired. As a way to show support for this collaborative initiative, professional organizations may join as a Supporting Organization. There is no time or financial commitment to becoming a Supporting organization. It simply means that the organization supports NIGP’s collaborative efforts to develop public procurement values, principles, and standards of practice. If the organization can share the word about the project with its members, that would be very valuable.

For more information, or to be added as a Supporting Organization, please contact Tina M. Borger, CPPO, Research Director for NIGP at tborger@nigp.org

Transparency


VALUE Transparency:

Easily accessible and understandable policies and processes.  This value is essential to demonstrate responsible use of public funds.


PRINCIPLES


1. Exercise discretion in the release of confidential information.
2. Maintain current and complete policies, procedures, and records.
3. Provide open access to competitive opportunities.
4. Provide timely access to



14 comments:

  1. Mike Bliss, CPPBMay 12, 2010

    Just a comment. As the FOIA coordinator for Statewide procurement I can tell you that there is often a difficult balance between transparency and compliance to the FOIA Act and protecting the integrity of the procurement process. Open and timely access to records, according to statute, may interfere with second round pricing efforts, negotiations, etc. It may also discourage bidders from submitting costing details that are helpful.

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  2. A question concerning #3-What is the intent? Is it to have open access to procurement actions? If so, then perhaps the word "competitive" should be removed and the word "procurement" inserted.

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  3. AnonymousMay 12, 2010

    I am not sure what State you are in; however, Illinois FOIA requirements outline that during the RFP process proposer's information is not subject to "FOIA" until the contract is signed.

    Michele Reynolds, CPPO, C.P.M.

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  4. AnonymousMay 12, 2010

    Michele that would be most correct for most States (i.e.: the competetive records cannot be revealed until the competition has ended)! :)

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  5. AnonymousMay 12, 2010

    #1 is okay as it is. All it requires is application of discretion, guided by whatever applies in your state.

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  6. This area should also address disclosure from more than what #1 implies. FOIA and state requirements apply to us, and there should be no fear in releasing that which is not confidential or still under review as appropriate.

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  7. AnonymousMay 12, 2010

    Kudos to those involved in writing the proposed changes.

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  8. AnonymousMay 14, 2010

    Much akin to Impartiality and Integrity.

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  9. AnonymousMay 23, 2010

    Kudos to clear, concise, and compliance of Procurement policies but # 3 seems a bit unclear. Needs work. I agree with tmkee. Procurement may be the right word.

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  10. Disclosure of confidential or any other information must only be determined by laws applicable to the public agency. IE, public agencies in the State of Florida are bound by a broad public records law.

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  11. AnonymousJune 02, 2010

    #4 could be rolled into # 2 and worded: Provide timely access to current policies, procedures, and records

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  12. Consider adding: Provide a structure for the procurement process that will shelter procurement officials from political influence.

    See State of Illinois Public Act 96-0975

    Reference

    NIGP. (2010) Transparency in government procurement operations. Herndon, VA: NIGP

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  13. Addressing sustainability:

    Balance existing resources against desired or mandated levels of transparency to produce a viable and sustainable procurement process.

    Reference

    NIGP. (2010). Transparency in government procurement operations. Herndon, VA: NIGP

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  14. Shall "be willing to undertake an assessment of its existing processes to identify opportunities for streamlining and standardization; and

    maintain a focus change managment plan" (NIGP, 2010) to execute such opportunities.

    Reference

    NIGP. (2010). Transparency in government procurement operations. Herndon, VA: NIGP

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