News

OGC launches Government Supplier Feedback Service

Released on 31/01/2008

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has launched its new Supplier Feedback Service (SFS). The facility invites suppliers of public sector goods and services to comment on issues of contention and areas of poor practice in public sector procurement. This will help the government to become a better customer.

The SFS provides a clear, structured and direct route for suppliers to raise concerns about public procurement practice when attempts at resolving issues with a contracting authority have failed. The OGC will provide reasoned feedback to enquirers on their concerns.

Furthermore, if appropriate, the OGC will intervene in order that the contracting authority improves its processes with a view to ensure that similar problems do not arise in future. If the concerns raised have wider applicability to public procurement practice, the OGC may issue general guidance to contracting authorities, or take other forms of action to help reduce the likelihood of similar problems arising elsewhere. The SFS will also be used as a learning tool to feed into other areas of OGC activity to improve public procurement practice.

A pilot for the SFS was initiated in April 2007. As part of a six-month review, it sought feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including the public sector, supplier representative bodies and those suppliers using the service. This experience has been used to increase knowledge, understanding and take-up of the facility.

Commenting on the Supplier Feedback Service, OGC chief executive Nigel Smith said:

"The Supplier Feedback Service is an important tool in the OGC's mission of driving up procurement standards across the board. It gives suppliers the opportunity to feed back their experiences to government and at the same time encourages procuring authorities to improve their processes to ensure better procurement.

"It is part of a wider programme designed to drive-up the level of professionalism in government procurement and will be critical in our initiatives to improve our supplier relationships."

Neil Bentley, director of public services at the CBI, said:
 
"Better procurement practice will help all sectors deliver the high quality public services people want. The OGC's feedback service will let suppliers raise concerns informally so the government can act quickly and efficiently to address them. This is very welcome." 

Notes to Editors

About the Supplier Feedback Service

Feedback can be submitted to the OGC by filling in an online form. Issues regarding central government procurement are then submitted to the relevant department. With respect to bodies in the wider public sector OGC will forward the issue raised onto the relevant lead authority (usually the appropriate central government department). A response is expected from the relevant lead authority with OGC monitoring the process.

For more information on the Supplier Feedback Service please see the OGC website.

About OGC

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an office of HM Treasury, responsible for improving value for money by driving up standards and capability in procurement, from commodities buying to the delivery of major capital projects, maximising the effective use of 60% of Government spending and a £30 billion property estate.

A new Government strategy launched in January 2007, Transforming Government Procurement, 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 with driving up standards and procurement capability across central Government.  The OGC will do this through:

• Setting procurement standards and monitoring performance and capability; 
• Developing a cadre of skilled procurement professionals across Government; 
• Driving value for money through collaborative procurement; 
• Playing a stronger role in the successful delivery of major projects; 
• And improving management and use of the Government estate.

 
Media Contact:
Michael Dunning
T: 020 7271 1318
F: 020 7271 1345
E: press@ogc.gsi.gov.uk

Contact details:
OGC Service Desk
Tel: 0845 000 4999
E-mail: ServiceDesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk