New public procurement innovation advice from Office of Government Commerce

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has launched a new pamphlet to provide guidance to those working in government on how they can utilise its £175bn of purchasing power to drive both buyer and supplier innovation in the procurement process.

The new pamphlet, “Driving innovation through public procurement“, challenges departments to look at innovation as a tool to transform public services and potentially create new markets. It shows public procurers how to foster innovation at every stage of the procurement process in order to realise benefits for the public purse and economy as a whole.

Using clear examples, the pamphlet demonstrates the positives steps that procurers can take at the various stages of the procurement process to encourage innovation. It shoes how innovation can be addressed in a way that is consistent with value for money and the legal framework for public procurement. It seeks to encourage public sector organisations to be intelligent, demanding customers and open to new ideas.

Specifically, the pamphlet focuses on ways to encourage innovation in the design and delivery of public services, the procurement of innovative products and services, and innovative procurement processes and models.

Speaking at a civil service conference aimed at inspiring innovation across the entire civil service, OGC chief executive, Nigel Smith said:

“Innovation is a key element in driving greater value for money from public sector procurement. By encouraging suppliers to develop novel techniques to help deliver public services we will continue to drive improvements in the performance of public services.”

The new pamphlet “Driving innovation through public procurement” shows government departments how they can encourage suppliers to use their capabilities and know-how to innovate in ways that will benefit both public services and the wider economy. Public procurers have an important part to play in making the UK the best place in the world to be an innovative business or public sector or third sector organisation.”

Article PublicTechnology.net