E-Sourcing and Contract Management Solution

Description

In accordance with Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2015 and subsequent Procurement Policy Notes, E-Procurement has been made mandatory for public sector bodies. Communications must be fully electronic for all contracting authorities with an audit trail. eProcurement solutions automate and streamline the procurement process, which is beneficial to both KCC as a buying entity and supplying entities. Contract management in KCC is supported by the electronic contract management solution to aid in effectiveness, audit and reporting. The project is about setting-up and re-procurement of an E-Procurement and Contract Management system for use in KCC. KCC is responsible for providing more than 300 public services such as education, transport, strategic planning, social services, public safety, and waste disposal. The organisation spends a sizeable amount of its budget purchasing various of good and services to meet its responsibilities. To meet these responsibilities, it is key to a have a reliable, useful eProcurement system that allows KCC to procure goods, services and works by following a uniform, systematic, efficient and cost-effective procedure in accordance with all relevant rules and regulations. The principle in public buying is to carry out procurements to a specified quality at the most competitive price in a fair and transparent way, which is embedded in UK Law when spending public money. The eProcurement system must adhere to these principles without fail and ensure the users of system - both buyers and suppliers - are aligned in this. This is aligned with KCC's strategic vision that aims at "improving lives by ensuring that every pound spent in Kent is delivering better outcomes for Kent's residents, communities, and businesses." This was procured by the NHS Shared Business Services Framework 'Digital Workplace Solutions' (SBS/19/AB/WAB/9411). Additional information: This was procured by the NHS Shared Business Services Framework 'Digital Workplace Solutions' (SBS/19/AB/WAB/9411).