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Keep up to date with conversations that are happening across the public sector that focus on procurement. We welcome your feedback and suggestions for stories to include in upcoming editions.

June 2023

Exciting changes ahead for NZGP!

Many of you will be aware NZGP is changing. From 3 July we will officially have a new structure.

The aim is to position us to proactively respond to future needs and provide better support to current priorities. 

First and foremost though - we don’t expect it impact your agency’s ability to access our services. We’re currently going through the internal recruitment/appointment process to establish our new team structure. There may be new titles and a few new faces, but during the transition there should be no wrong door for you! 

We are 100% committed to the improvements that will align us better to the procurement sector and enable us all to realise the vision behind the government’s procurement for the future strategy.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact your Account Manager or email procurement@mbie.govt.nz.

Suppliers collaborate for new government e-platform

Last month we ran a procurement process with suppliers that flipped the paradigm from competition towards more cooperation, says Senior procurement specialist Oscar Lloyd. 

The approach, called Lean-Agile Procurement (LAP) involved 4 shortlisted suppliers for a digital e-procurement platform. Instead of sending off presentations and proposals. The process invited them into a ‘Big Room Event’ for three days, 9 to 11 May 2023. 

Government Procurement Rules Review

We’re in the early stages of scoping a review of the ‘Rules’. The current edition came into effect in 2019. The review is an opportunity to consider the current operating environment and take account of national and global changes in procurement. 

Project lead, Karen English NZGP explains, “The Rules are fundamental to New Zealand’s government procurement policy framework and represent shared procurement standards across the public sector. Since 2019 there have been developments in policy and practice, such as the introduction of the Progressive Procurement Policy, the establishment of System Leadership, improvements to data capability and transparency in government procurement and the increase in use of non-traditional, but competitive and transparent, procurement methods.”

Against that evolving procurement background, New Zealand is facing some of the most significant economic, social and environmental challenges in history. This includes climate change and environmental degradation, social inequalities, demographic changes and technology disruption. We need to make sure the Rules support system leadership and procurement for the future – and continue to make a significant contribution to overall procurement practice improvements.

Karen continues, “At this stage we are defining the scope of the review (what’s in and what’s not) and planning the review itself. As with the previous reviews of the Rules, we will engage extensively and warmly welcome input at any time."

Once the scoping and planning is done, we’ll provide you with a clearer picture of the plan and timeframe for the review.

Accident Compensation Corporation shares progressive procurement tips for agencies  

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is breaking down the barriers to government procurement, so the process is more accessible for Māori health providers to tender for ACC’s contracts.

Eldon Paea, ACC Manager Māori Health, is passionate about improving health outcomes for Māori, and was formerly a procurement manager. 

“I was already aware of the barriers our procurement processes create for small and medium businesses, where Māori operate in. We’ve been able to work with the ACC procurement team and many others to address those barriers.

“The changes we’ve made enabled us to sit down and listen to providers who are really good at their work to understand how we can work together,” he says.

Te Puni Kōkiri and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment produced this progressive procurement case study video to show ACC’s new regional approach to engaging with Māori suppliers

Te Puni Kōkiri Progressive Procurement Lead Kellee Koia says government agencies are often asking for tips on how to improve their engagement with Māori businesses. 

“This case study shines a light on ways to do procurement differently that gain mutually beneficial results. ACC went beyond just advertising opportunities on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) website, and they reached local providers who know their communities best,” she says.

Progressive procurement –  Te Puni Kōkiri

Procurement Capability Index (PCI) reporting date extension

We’re moving the 2023 Procurement Capability Index (PCI) reporting due date to 1 November 2023. 

For those of you keen to get reporting in early, the portal will open on 1 August, 3 months before the due date.

Reporting for other categories, broader outcomes priority three and progressive procurement policy (PPP) remains 1 October 2023.

Knowledge Hour recap - competition and cartels

Barrie Hutton, Principal Investigator, and Nick Wilkins, Principal Advisor, from the Cartel Investigation team at Commerce Commission joined us for the May Knowledge Hour. They talked to us about their work to promote effective competition and how to prevent and detect of cartel behaviour.

 
Barrie discussed why effective competition is so important in procurement. It drives efficiency, quality, innovation, and pricing. It can also support broader outcomes, such as sustainability or social outcomes. 

As procurers we can create effective competition by:

•    Reducing barriers for suppliers who are bidding.
•    Creating good relationships with suppliers – communication is key.
•    Using data as a key resource.  Data helps you make better procurement decisions and supports the deterrence of cartel behaviours. 

Barrie and Nick also shared their learnings from the recent weather events. They have a programme set up for weather response and recovery. Demand is high and the country needs to get the most value for spend.  They shared how government has worked together to create efficiencies for procuring goods and services. 

To find out more about this presentation you can watch this Knowledge Hour, and previous Knowledge Hours in the Hīkina video library.

Save the date!

Tuesday 25 July 11.30am - 12.30pm

Procurement Knowledge Hour - Join us to learn about agile procurement.