Enhancing Procurement Practices

Enhancing Procurement Practices is organised around four main points:
-overview and analysis of procurement principles,
-practical approach to drafting of solicitation and contract documents,
-conduct of procurement procedures,
-overview of the e-procurement arena.

Although the addressed procurement methods can be used on a wide scale, this book concentrates primarily on such cases when the subject of procurement is complex, or the solicited goods and services are relatively simple but the intended long-term relationship calls for a fairly conscious source selection. Project procurement, the most complicated form of buying civil engineering work, goods, and services, is thoroughly addressed.

Beyond the structured overview and comparative analysis of terminology and principles, the book describes such new concepts as single-source preference for simultaneous procurements, dual-term frame contract for parallel suppliers, and the use of semi-consolidated contract documents. Effective utilisation of theories boils down - among others - to a consistent set of procurement-related terms, proven methodology for drafting comprehensive solicitation documents and contracts, and practical details of communication with offerors.

"By including a substantial emphasis on ... complex procurements, the author makes a useful contribution to the literature. ... the author nicely integrates the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) with the procurement process ... The strength of this book is in its perspective on procurement from the standpoint of project management, and hopefully it will spark greater interest in the subject." (Robert E. Lloyd, CPCM, U.S. Department of State for the Journal of Public Procurement, Volume 4:3)

"In an era where procurement is so essential in delivering services, public or private, a codification of practices through a comprehensive approach of the systems and procedures available is of immense benefit. (Kovács) has succeeded in opening the often closed and technocratic world of procurement to audiences that need to appreciate the importance of the interface between private and public sectors and their respective partners in the procurement process. The monograph represents a significant contribution to the international literature of procurement from a multi-discipline perspective." (Professor Christopher Bovis, Lancashire Law School)