Procurement Bulletin

Within the last decade, the corporate world has finally given supply chain management the attention it deserves. Experts have recognized the integral role the supply chain plays in daily operations and, ultimately, the overall success of a business. Ideally, supply chain management is a seamless collaboration between every department within a company. Supply chain policies

One of the biggest debates in the world of supply chain management is whether it’s better to centralize or decentralize procurement and logistics operations. Greenland Contractors, in charge of daily operations at Thule Air Base, entered a partnership with Arctic Import of North Denmark that will streamline their contracts.

“Vast amounts of money, combined with a secretive purchasing process, can be a formula for corruption.” Zachary Mehan, a communications assistant at the Transparency International Defence and Security Programme, made this statement in reference to government defence procurement, but it can easily refer to all sectors of the procurement industry.

The Columbia Pike streetcar project was the focus of many debates among residents and officials in Arlington, VA when it was first proposed. The $249 million transit system will offer transportation between Bailey’s Crossroads in Fairfax and Pentagon City. With the project approved, the next step was to begin the procurement process. Rather than the

The biggest challenges that government procurement agencies face at any level are corruption and discrimination. On a global level, transparency and fairness standards are even harder to agree upon. The World Trade Organization created the first Agreement on Government Procurement in 1981 to make a set of globally accepted rules for international procurement.

The primary focus of supply chain management has always been lowering costs and reducing risks. More recently however, a comprehensive strategy for social, economic, and environmental sustainability is the biggest concern for many businesses.

In recent years, boutique consulting firms have experienced increased success in the supply chain management field. While boutique firms aren’t necessarily small, they typically have a well-defined focus for more industry-specific knowledge and are often more cost-efficient than larger firms. Supply Chain Visions, Inc., one of the ’10 coolest SCM boutique consultants’ according to ARC

Transparency in public sector procurement is a challenge around the world. Legislation is in place in many countries to encourage responsible government spending on public services. In some places, private coalitions are forming to make sure that these laws are upheld. Most recently, Tanzania Contract Monitoring Coalition (TCMC) launched in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa.

Corruption and scandal are common in Miami Beach. Not even the local government can escape the temptation, particularly those in the procurement department. City officials arrested former procurement chief, Gus Lopez, last month on charges of bid tampering, illegal compensation, and racketeering.