Equality of Opportunity and Sustainable Development in Public Sector Procurement
Two cross-cutting key themes underpin the Executive’s approach to delivering its priorities under the Programme for Government 2008 - 2011:
- A shared and better future for all - equality, fairness, inclusion and the promotion of good relations
- Sustainability – building a sustainable future is a key requirement for our economic, social and environmental policies and programmes.
The Executive’s policy is that all public procurement should be based on Best Value for Money, having due regard to propriety and regularity. The definition of Best Value for Money - “optimum combination of whole life cost and quality (fitness for purpose) to meet the customer’s requirement” - allows for the inclusion, as appropriate, of economic, social and environmental goals within the procurement process.
Under the auspices of the Procurement Board, Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) have published guidance, aimed at policy makers and procurement professionals, on how to integrate equality and sustainable development considerations into the procurement process, while meeting the existing statutory duties in relation to equality of opportunity and sustainable development. The guidance applies to all public sector procurement, including Public Private Partnership or Private Finance Initiative projects.
The early chapters, directed at policy and decision makers within Departments, show how screening, equality impact assessment (EQIA) and the integrated impact assessment tool (IIA) can be used in policy development to identify the scope for equality of opportunity and sustainable development considerations.
The later chapters are directed at procurement practitioners, providing advice and guidance on the integration of equality of opportunity and sustainable development and the areas for consideration at the various stages of the procurement process.
The guidance has a range of case studies illustrating how equality of opportunity and sustainable development can be integrated into the procurement process. A summary flow chart, acting as an aide memoire, highlights points for consideration during the process and signposts the relevant chapters.
The main guidance, supported by a summary document,gives an overview of the main points for consideration and is accompanied by a Dear Accounting Officer (DAO 05/08) letter which avises recipients that the guidance should be taken into account when preparing business cases.
The Centre for Applied Learning, on behalf of OFMDFM, is rolling out awareness training on sustainable development that will include sustainable procurement. The summary document forms part of the resource material for this course.
This guidance was launched on 29 May 2008 by the Minister for Finance and Personnel at an event hosted by the ECNI.