As more and more examples of public and private sector procurement fraud are discovered the ever increasing need to ensure that appropriate and transparent processes are established and appreciated by all decision makers in the process is paramount. The proposed introduction of reformed Public Sector Procurement Reform Legislation across the region coupled with the formalization of a CARICOM Government Procurement Protocol is imminent and its application within the context of public sector procurement must be considered by all parties in the process.
At CPI, by partnering with our world class and regional faculty of experts in the field, we provide a broad range of consultancy services advising state bodies on international best practice procurement policies, performance of procurement risk assessments, procurement fraud audits and the reforming of organizations procurement rules, systems and processes.
Through our affiliation with specialist lawyers we also provide legal counsel and litigation and/or alternative dispute resolution support services to both contracting parties and tenderers in all phases of a potential public tender within the context of existing law and informed by international best practice.
We have particular expertise in procurement in the construction industry through our affiliation with leading chartered quantity surveyors, arbitrators and construction economists.
At every stage of the process of public procurement of goods, works and services the ensuring of cost-efficient, value for money procurement exercises whilst maintaining the highest levels of transparency and integrity of the process is now the imperative of best practice procurement. From this perspective we provide continued guidance throughout the procurement process to ensure these needs are met.
A. For Contracting Authorities: services provided include the following:
Procurement Planning including inter alia tender call formats and sourcing strategies
Drafting and Preparation of Tender Documents including Instructions to Bidders and Terms and Conditions of Contract
Managing Disclosure duties throughout the procurement cycle.
Serving on Tenders Committees (without voting rights) to advise on compliance and interpretation of Tender Rules, Bid Evaluation and Award on high risk projects
Handling Bid protests/ Complaints
Alternative Dispute Resolution and litigation services for the management of procurement disputes
We also provide consultancy services in the following areas:
(1) Evaluation and revision of existing procurement rules, processes and procedures to conform to international best practice.
(2) Performance of Procurement Risk assessments.
(3) Performance of Procurement Fraud Audits
(4) Efficient Management of Freedom of Information Requests under the new Access to Information Regime being implemented globally.
(5) Specific RFP Management in high risk projects including:
We provide assistance and advice on risk mitigation in the RFP process
We advise on the most effective strategies for specific projects
We advise on the implementation of International best practice in the RFP process
We act as an expert RFP reviewer and 'gatekeeper' for large scale, high visibility acquisitions
We provide consultancy and advise on training programs for bulletproofing the RFP process
We develop RFP templates (e.g. for software and services)
We Manage or act as a Fairness Officer on strategic, high visibility RFPs (working from statements of work through to contracting)
We review, audit and report on the effectiveness and efficiency of the procurement function
Contract Administration support
(6) Negotiation of Public Private Partnerships (PPP's) and Private Finance Initiatives (PFI's)
(7) EProcurement, including advice on transnational issues in eTendering, eAuctions, Procurement cards, Digital Certificates etc.,
B. For Tenderers/Bidders services are provided in the following areas
Handling Tender/ Bid Protests & Complaints
Monitoring at each stage the Contracting Authority's Tender/ Bid compliance
Negotiation of contracts after Letters of award
Freedom of Information advisory and requests
Alternative Dispute Resolution and litigation support for procurement disputes
