Civil Contractors New Zealand made a submission on the draft Government Procurement Rules (5th Edition).
The submission focussed on the following points:
- Reducing the number of rules
The Government Procurement Rules are currently too cumbersome for both clients and service providers to understand and apply consistently. So, they are used in an arbitrary way.
CCNZ supports moves to reduce complexity in the government procurement rules. We recommend the rules are reduced in number and complexity so they can be well understood and consistently applied
- Supporting the shift from vague ‘broader outcomes’ to economic benefit
While we understand the intention behind the establishment of ‘broader outcomes’ initiatives from the previous edition of the procurement rules, these have not been applied consistently, or in a way that has enabled the industry to deliver both broader outcomes and value for money. Often, these initiatives had no costs allocated.
CCNZ supports the replacement of the broader outcomes rules with economic benefits criteria. Especially the notes on application, which include skills, training, qualifications and local workforce.
- Recognising the role of procurement in improving capability and capacity
Procuring to increase construction workforce capability and capacity through training and qualifications will increase quality and reduce project costs in the long term.
- Ensuring the rules add value
The procurement rules should be held to the lens of whether they are adding value or just increasing workload. For instance, if prequalification is done, this should add value by supporting future tenders and reducing the workload on suppliers by reducing duplication in provision of information.
- The importance of market engagement
Suppliers often have valuable knowledge that can contribute to a project in its development, through supplier engagement. CCNZ supports rules that allow for early supplier engagement to highlight project practicalities and deficiencies and ensure the latest techniques and technologies can be recognised through procurement.
- Supporting positive payment times
CCNZ supports positive payment times and swift payment of invoices, but provides the caveat that the system used to manage this should be fit for purpose.