The Purchasing Management Association of Canada’s national conference was held in Moncton New Brunswick this year. One of the speakers, Maureen Sullivan, President of National Education Consulting Inc. (NECI) highlighted several recent cases in which consultants such as project managers, engineers and other professionals have been liable in negligence for mishandling the procurement process.
The Purchasing Management Association of Canada’s national conference was held in Moncton New Brunswick this year.
I have been a member of the PMAC for 37 years and always enjoy this premier event for supply chain management professionals. The trip to Moncton this year marks the 27th conference I have attended during my 37 years as a member.
I enjoyed seeing old friends, and meeting new ones and Moncton hosted a wonderful setting to do both. The educational sessions this year had something for everyone in all sectors of purchasing, public and private sector. The keynote speakers had a great message that set the tone for each day.
One of the speakers, Maureen Sullivan, President of National Education Consulting Inc. (NECI) highlighted several recent cases in which consultants such as project managers, engineers and other professionals have been liable in negligence for mishandling the procurement process. Sullivan cautions, “whether internal or external, ensure your experts are qualified in the fields of expertise for which you are relying on them.”
For those acting in such a capacity, “be very careful that you don’t (even inadvertently) overstep your qualifications. If an owner can show they were reasonable in relying on your advice or actions, you may be liable.” This session was excellent and had great value for every sector of procurement professionals in attendance.
For me, the highlight of any PMAC conference is attending a session by Robert C. Worthington & Associates Ltd. Worthington is, what some may call, a straight shooter, and tells it exactly as it is. His session with Sullivan on “Binding or Non-Binding RFPs? Here There Be Pirates,” was, without question, one of a kind. The topic was related to RFP’s and how they are increasingly being used as non-legally binding solicitations — but hazards and hidden perils may lurk in these unknown waters.
He goes on to describe the question, “Is there more risk than reward for the adventurous purchaser on the high seas? Or is there hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.”
I spent a couple of hours with Worthington earlier in the week to catch up on the latest issues facing purchasing and construction for the future.
I remember seeing him give a session 25 years ago at a PMAC conference and it inspired me to follow in his footsteps as a speaker and an author on the topic of tendering and RFPs with respect to purchasing and construction documents.
This event was jammed packed with so much good content that I would need to write three columns to cover it properly. It would be safe to say if you ever get a chance to go to the next PMAC conference in Ottawa, take it.
If you are in construction, purchasing, consulting, engineering, or a project manager, you will leave the conference with some great tips for future projects.
After attending the 94th CCA annual conference in Savannah in March, and PMAC, last week, I can now see the perspectives of both industries.
I would suggest that if we could get all of the people from both conferences in one room, at the same time, to discuss the current procurement and construction issues, we would resolve the vast majority of our combined problems.
I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work in both the purchasing and construction fields. I have clients in both sectors and work with them to resolve these concerns in the best possible manner for both parties.
The PMAC conference this year was a very positive light of hope that shows me we are on the right track to move forward for the future. Working together is the only answer for a positive outcome.
Stephen Bauld, Canada’s leading expert on government procurement, is president and CEO of Purchasing Consultants International Inc. He is also the co-author of the Municipal Procurement Handbook, published by LexisNexis Canada. He can be reached at stephenbauld@bell.blackberry.net
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