Welcome to the Keystone Column. This week we look at Transparency International’s latest report on global corruption perceptions and lessons for Irish companies looking to new markets may be able to draw from it. We also look at Western Australia’s innovative approach to developing its online tendering portal and how the city of Cincinnati has become a beacon for enlightened governance. As usual, we conclude with our weekly list of current Irish public tenders.
Business Stories
The world is getting more corrupt – and that’s bad news for procurement
Transparency International released their annual report on corruption in the world this week. Ireland has dropped a place in the overall rankings. This is primarily but not exclusively down to a failure to prosecute white-collar crime. At a broad level, this includes procurement related matters where they arise.
More generally, the median point internationally is just 43 out of 100 where 100 is a very clean / fair system. More than 50% of the world’s countries are either endemically corrupt, systematically corrupt or prone to widespread corruption. Ireland is 19th overall and ranks 10th of the 28 EU countries (behind Brexit candidate, the UK). Norway, Iceland and Switzerland from the EEA are all ranked ahead of Ireland.
Being ranked near the top is not a clean bill of health or a reason for inertia. As the report states “[…] while the most obvious forms of corruption may not scar citizens’ daily lives in all these places, the higher-ranked countries are not immune to closed-door deals, conflicts of interest, illicit finance, and patchy law enforcement that can distort public policy and exacerbate corruption at home and abroad.”
This annual monitor can provide useful insights for companies as they consider market diversification options to reduce dependency on the UK market.
Interesting Trends – Transparency in Cincinnati
We were taken with some developments that we have been tracking in Cincinnati, OH. The city has developed a series of scorecards called CincyInsights demonstrating the effectiveness (or otherwise) of its delivery of services to the citizens. Cincinnati has identified five core areas it seeks to make an impact in and then provide a range of historic and real-time data that informs citizens as to how it is making an impact in these five areas. This includes data on crime levels, waste collection and some interesting takes on their approach to public procurement.
Last week, we wrote about considering social value in the awarding of contracts. Cincinnati is now tracking the extent to which minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and minority women-owned businesses win contracts. The City’s Inclusion division now certify these businesses to help them go for contracts and credentialise them. After that, it’s down to market forces. It is an interesting approach to assisting businesses that are either being excluded or are not participating because they think it is a closed shop.
The scorecards are not superficial – they are a form governmental transparency at its best. Certifying businesses is only one example. You check crime on your street, when the rubbish was collected and which truck collected it and much more besides. Those interested in these things should have a look at the site and the data they are publishing using the internet of things and other sources. It is a glimpse at the future.
Innovation – Western Australia adopts novel IT development approach
Western Australia’s government has taken an interesting approach to developing its new online procurement portal. They are developing in phases in line with feedback they receive from the users using it. They developed a minimum viable product for AUS$ 20,000 and are developing their version of a state procurement site/database around the market feedback they are receiving. This agile, start-up style approach is great to see and an example of public sector innovation by initiated by and led by public servants. Instead of delegating things to the private sector as is the norm, they are demonstrating business insight and a welcome appreciation for the value of money.
New public procurement tenders this week
Visit the Keystone website to view our take on the 500+ active public procurement opportunities with more than five days until their deadline. There are a vast range of services, supplies and construction related to public procurement opportunities in the following sectors (there are many more sectors than the sample list below):
- Construction and related trades,
- Professional & Advisory Services,
- PR, Media, Advertising and related,
- ICT supplies and services,
- Training,
- Property & facilities management,
- Vehicle & automotive,
- Catering and related services,
- Cleaning and related services,
- Waste Management,
- Maintenance and related services,
- Horticultural supplies & services,
- Research & environmental monitoring,
- Printing, office supplies and related services,
- Trades,
- Medical and scientific research, supplies and services,
- A vast range of other services and supplies.
Businesses interested in any of these public procurement opportunities that are unsure of how they can follow-up on these tenders can contact Keystone at any stage. We would be happy to discuss your needs and where they may fit with your business growth plans. These public procurement opportunities are sources of business growth and innovation for companies across the country.
Keystone E-Tenders Report Open YTD as at 2601 (by date of publication)
Keystone E-Tenders Report Open YTD as at 2601 (by sector)
Please note, e-tenders often has public procurement opportunities incorrectly categorised so people relying on e-tender alerts could easily miss out on opportunities if they are dependent on it. E-tenders is only as reliable as the people inputting tenders and mistakes are made very frequently. The Keystone Column includes all live tenders posted on e-tenders that have five or more days until their deadline as at January 26th 2017.
Note: Featured image sourced from Transparency International (www.transparency.org).
