Procure Plus: Supporting a Values-Driven Industry

Procurement is important, but its value is often missed.

We all know what we are looking for when we make a pruchase and invest in ourselves, whether it’s a bargain, something that will last or important to get it quickly, we all make those decisions and (hopefully) use our resources wisely. 

Sometimes we may consider the supply chain, the sustainability and perhaps whether it aligns with our values or whether there’s a better solution as technology moves on.  It’s the same in housing and it affects us all, because if an organisation uses its resources well, it can make them go further. And if we invest in the right way, everyone gains from that decision.

How we procure should not just be of interest to those that manage large budgets, because the service or product we end up with affects teams, tenants and the success within the business.  What success looks like to you, and how you define what value is, will depend largely on how you assess the procurement process and monitor it, and should be important to everyone that uses, touches or is impacted by it. 

Value starts with the board, setting clear direction and their appetite for risk in different categories but this has to be understood and applied each time, as what values means on a cleaning contract may be very different to purchasing a new fleet of vans. 

Value should go beyond the basics, such as quality, legal and regulatory requirements, and it's important to consider how bidders can deliver more of your organisations’ values.  For example, legal firms provide free training, perhaps work placements and contractors can be asked to recruit local tenants.  Sometimes there is opportunity to consider the sustainability of the supply chain, whether they are local (reducing travel), if they can use recycled materials, and where their products are coming from.  Engagement with a supply chain can also bring innovation, creating efficiencies or better working practices.

Public procurement is a process, designed and legislated to ensure transparency and alignment with government objectives, such as the use of more SMEs, ensuring value and fair competition and offering flexibility to organisations to achieve their desired outcomes.  Unfortunately, compliance, restricted time frames and busy people can sometime means that procurement feels more like a hurdle to jump than a process to support.  We can all help to change this, by noticing when things aren’t working well, supportign each other, sharing best practice, and being inquisitive with suppliers to get their ideas and thinking about how we could manage or monitor things we do better. That way, when it comes to a procurement, we know what good looks like, what the market can provide and how we will ensure the outcome is successful.

At Procure Plus, we have a passion for creating jobs and training for those who may not otherwise have had the chance, and believe in investing in our people, and the communities we serve. We have been working with housing organisations to help them source contractors, materials and services and improve communities for 20 years, so if you’ve got a question about procurement and how to make it work for you, we’re happy to help.