Press Releases

OGC Launches New Procurement Capability Reviews

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) today announced that the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) will be the pilot department for its new Procurement Capability Reviews.

The Procurement Capability Reviews were initially outlined in Transforming Government Procurement, the new strategy for delivering high-quality procurement across central Government, which was launched by HM Treasury in January.

John Healey MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

"Good procurement is essential to delivering good quality public services, and we will only achieve good procurement across Government if we know we have the right skills and capability in place.  This programme of Procurement Capability Reviews draws on the very valuable learning that has been obtained through the Treasury's Financial Management Reviews and the Cabinet Office's Departmental Capability Reviews, and will allow us to ensure that we have the information on which we can build a world class procurement capability across Government."

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director of DfES said:

"We are delighted to be in the vanguard of this process.  We believe that the insights to be gained will help us to ensure that procurement plays its proper role across the department, and to achieve better value for money for our customers across the education and skills system."

The Procurement Capability Reviews will play a key role in addressing the need to raise procurement capacity within departments, by assessing how far procurement in central government meets the demanding standards required to deliver value for money, now and in the future, in terms of their capacity and capability. 

OGC will own the Review, which will involve the deployment of a small team of high quality experts, whose skills and experience cover both procurement and programme and project management, engaging intensively with departments over a short period. OGC will source the reviewers from both private and public sectors.

The pilot Review of the DfES will be conducted during an extended pilot period in March with results being evaluated in April.  Following publication of an action plan, rigorous follow-up will ensure the necessary improvements are being made.

Notes to Editors

To view the document Transforming Government Procurement, click the link:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/4EA/89/government_procurement_pu147.pdf

About OGC

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an office of HM Treasury, responsible for driving best practice in procurement, including project management and property and asset management.  Now a new Government strategy has highlighted the central importance of procurement in delivering high-quality public services and best value for money.  OGC is tasked with delivering this transformation, and has an exciting new remit to create best practice in procurement across central Government.  It will do this through:

• Setting and monitoring standards and capability
• Developing a cadre of skilled procurement professionals across Government
• Driving value for money deals on a collaborative basis

Media Contact:

Martin Day, Press & Media Advisor
T: 020 7271 1318
F: 020 7271 1345
M: 07771 815245
E: martin.day@ogc.gsi.gov.uk