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The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) today called on the government to adopt a consistent approach to making savings in public sector procurement.
The call came as the Cabinet Office issued a data request to suppliers asking for information on goods and services supplied to central government bodies and delivery agencies.
Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, ACE chief executive, said: “We are at risk of sending mixed messages. ACE agrees that public finances have to be addressed, and that suppliers to the public sector should not be exempt from making efficiencies. However, there must be a consistent approach across the public sector, which focuses on eliminating waste and the barriers to efficient delivery.
“Bypassing the commercial relationships that have been built up between the public sector and suppliers will not help to address efficiency in a systematic manner.”
ACE welcomes the ongoing investigation into the cost of civil engineering, but warns that there may be risks in focusing too closely on prices paid to suppliers.
Nelson Ogunshakin added: “Industry wants to deliver high-quality, good value services to its clients, but simply asking suppliers to reduce their prices is no magic bullet.
“We do not believe that this is the appropriate means of achieving the government’s objective. ACE is keen to develop a more collaborative, strategic approach, which achieves efficiencies without compromising quality or whole life cost.”
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For media enquiries please contact Gavin Pearson (gpearson@acenet.co.uk) (020 7202 0255)
Notes to editors
To read ACE’s papers on best procurement practice, please click on the following links:
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