Blog - Page 2 of 16 - Keystone Procurement

Procurement Sourcing

Procurement sourcing: is your ethical cup of tea, actually ethical?

The ethics of ethics Procurement sourcing at face value seems a straightforward endeavour. Suppliers respond to confirmed demand from a buyer and business is subsequently done between them. Globalisation however is making these relationships increasing complex. There are often laws demanding suppliers treat their employees in line with international labour laws.…

Ross McCarthy27th July 2018

Bid Management

Bid management challenges – how suppliers are evaluated

Bid Management Challenges We know bid management is an area many suppliers find difficult. Bid management refers to the process that suppliers have to follow in order to respond to tenders issued by buyers. These buyers are public or private organisations using formal processes to buy goods, services, or works…

Ross McCarthy3rd July 2018

Procurement Strategy

Procurement Transparency in Irish University Expenditure

Procurement Transparency in University Expenditure Last year, we undertook an analysis of procurement transparency and procurement expenditure report publication in Local Authorities. It led to a marked improvement in the publication of this data (e.g. Dublin City Council went from 0% to full compliance). This year we have done a…

Ross McCarthy8th June 2018

Procurement Sourcing

Strategic sourcing: a suppliers guide to the buyer’s toolkit

Strategic sourcing is a phrase that is often used, but not always understood. Frequently, when discussing how buyers see the market and determine how they seek to procure from it, we find businesses have a low level of knowledge and understanding of the techniques used to ensure sourcing is strategic…

Ross McCarthy11th May 2018

Procurement Sourcing Procurement Strategy

Using game theory in procurement negotiations

In this post, we are exploring the use of game theory in procurement designed procedures with a negotiation component. The understanding of game theory (see explainer note on game theory here) is critical to being competitive in such contests and knowing when to participate and when not to participate. We…

Ross McCarthy4th May 2018

Brexit Procurement Strategy

What would Public Procurement be like under WTO rules?

Public procurement under WTO Rules A possible consequence of Brexit for Irish businesses selling to state bodies in the UK and Northern Ireland is a shift to procurement under WTO rules. Irish businesses bid for and win contracts in overseas markets like the UK and Northern Ireland currently on a…

Ross McCarthy19th April 2018

Small businesses can win local public contracts if they know how the system works.

Bid Management

Small businesses: How to win public contracts

Its not always easy to win local public contracts. Many small businesses are missing out on the chance to win public sector work in their local communities. I wrote an article for LaoisToday about the great opportunities to win public work in my home county of Laois for those who get to…

Donnacha Phelan23rd March 2018

Should you reflect diversity in your tenders?

Bid Management

What’s in a name? Diversity and Public Procurement

Diversity and Public Procurement A very interesting question about diversity and the use of CVs in tenders came up when we were working with a group of SMEs recently. An individual asked us if submitting CVs that have the names and genders removed is acceptable. It was the first question…

Ross McCarthy16th February 2018

Procurement Strategy

Circular procurement – a glimpse at our shared future

Circular procurement is a buzz topic at the moment. The European Union LIFE project is examining the area of clothing from an environmental sustainability perspective. It is interesting that clothing is being examined in detail as it shows how the sustainability conversation is moving beyond single use items like paper…

Ross McCarthy16th January 2018

Business Growth

Keystone Column 96 – Brexit: the state of play

This week, we are focusing on the state of play in Brexit. Below, we provide a guide to the various scenarios it potentially presents for Irish business. Brexit in context - the state of play Many sources now rate a hard Brexit as 50/50 at the moment based on the…

Ross McCarthy10th November 2017