PR O C U RE MEN T I NNOVAT I O N C H A L LE NG E AT-A - G L A N C E : T HE TO P 1 5 E N T R I E S CHALLENGE COMPETITION WINNERS
Aggregating buried data page 31
Equipping stakeholders to rebuild a nation page 61
Transparency International (TI) Slovakia Scattered public procurement data was preventing meaningful contract monitoring or analysis. In response, TI Slovakia created a publicly accessible online database, with simple, effective tools to browse, filter and visualize procurement data for evidence-based advocacy.
Government of Liberia and the World Bank Liberia’s urgent need for post-war reconstruction demanded a strong procurement function, so the government took a comprehensive three-pronged approach: reforming procurement regulation, training a new cadre of professionals and engaging the private sector.
Challenging secrecy in procurement page 1
Recognizing untapped potential page 37
Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) PPDC has created an online portal that helps train procurement monitors across Nigeria, and collates and analyzes their findings. The reports are used to promote accountability and transparency, challenging a culture of secrecy in the procurement process.
Dublin City University Business School Researchers harnessed Ireland’s e-procurement database to carry out an innovative survey, giving valuable insights into the market for public sector contracts. The findings have already led to policy changes for more effective procurement.
Making the most of freedom of information page 7 Transparency International (TI) Lithuania TI Lithuania used freedom of information laws to obtain government procurement data. Its analysis confirmed alarmingly high numbers of unannounced tenders. Published online, the findings helped fuel public and media scrutiny of procurement reform. Purchasing power meets local autonomy page 13 National Institute of Public Purchases (INCOP), Ecuador By centralizing procurement of medicines, then listing items in an electronic catalogue, Ecuador’s health system has escaped fragmentation while still enabling local health institutions to order the medicines they need. Driving an agricultural revolution page 19 The Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project By trusting local famers to procure the irrigation pumps they need, a once-failing scheme to improve Indian farm production turned itself around, resulting in increased productivity of more than 95 percent.
Opening up the supply chain page 67 O trade and market access A Canadian firm has developed the Local Community Procurement Program, which equips marginalized people with the technical and business skills to enter the supply chain, earn a sustainable living and help develop their local economies.
Beating corruption with biometrics page 43 An IT revolution on India’s railways page 73
The Public Procurement Service of Korea By adopting the latest fingerprint recognition technology, Korea has dramatically cut bid-rigging and illegal proxy bidding, increasing transparency and fairness in its electronic tendering system.
Indian Railways To help modernize the country’s rail system, Indian Railways successfully rolled out a grand-scale switch from paper-based procurement to electronic bidding, real-time performance monitoring, priority identification and contract management tools.
Boosting efficiency and local business page 49 Public Procurement Office, Paraguay Although less than 13 percent of Paraguay’s population had internet access, the country found a way to introduce electronic reverse auctions without harming small business. Success lay in giving emerging local companies a chance to improve submitted bids.
Creating an online community page 79 National Resources Fund (FNR), Uruguay Uruguay’s national high-cost medical treatment insurer has used web-based technology to create a ‘social network’ between the government, healthcare providers, patients and medical suppliers, resulting in significant cost reductions and better treatment for patients.
Starting from scratch page 55 Saving costs and trees page 25 Petrotrin, National Oil Company, Trinidad and Tobago Using standard desktop computer software in new ways, Petrotrin has slashed the environmental impact of its procurement function through electronic meetings and tenders and a document tracking database.
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Government of South Sudan Through a novel system of on-the-job training and mentoring, South Sudan is creating a professional cadre of public procurement staff who are helping to build the world’s youngest country.
Harnessing volunteer power page 85 Procurement Watch, Inc. A Philippine civil society organization has trained parents and staff to monitor furniture procurement in schools – turning round quality and value for money, and raising local people’s involvement in promoting transparency across public procurement. ix