Introduction

Public procurement plays a critical role in ensuring efficient use of public funds, transparency, and accountability in government contracts. With increasing regulatory scrutiny, anti-corruption measures, sustainability requirements, and digital transformation, procurement professionals must adapt to evolving challenges while ensuring fair competition, compliance, and value-for-money in government spending.

This course provides a practical and strategic approach to public sector procurement, covering procurement planning, contract management, risk mitigation, legal frameworks, and future trends such as AI and green procurement.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand key legal and regulatory frameworks governing public procurement.
• Apply procurement planning and contract management best practices.
• Ensure compliance with anti-corruption, transparency, and ethical procurement standards.
• Manage risks in public contracts, supplier performance, and disputes.
• Implement digital procurement solutions and e-procurement platforms.
• Address emerging trends, including sustainability, social value contracting, and AI-driven procurement.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for professionals involved in public procurement, contract management, and government purchasing, including:

• Government Procurement Officers & Contract Managers
• Public Sector Compliance & Legal Advisors
• Finance, Audit, & Risk Management Professionals in Government
• Suppliers & Contractors Engaged in Public Sector Bidding
• Policy Makers & Regulators in Public Procurement
• NGO & International Development Procurement Specialists

5-Day Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Public Procurement & Regulatory Compliance

• Principles of Public Procurement
  • Value for money, fairness, transparency, and competition.
  • Differences between public and private sector procurement.
• Legal & Regulatory Frameworks
  • National and international public procurement laws (UNCITRAL Model Law, WTO GPA, EU Directives).
  • Compliance with local procurement acts and financial regulations.
• Procurement Planning & Market Analysis
  • Identifying needs, market assessment, and defining procurement objectives.
  • Framework agreements and procurement strategies.
• Workshop: Developing a compliant public procurement plan.

Day 2: Tendering, Bid Evaluation & Supplier Selection

• Public Sector Tendering Procedures
  • Open, restricted, negotiated, and competitive dialogue procedures.
  • Preparing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Tender (ITTs).
• Evaluating Bids & Awarding Contracts
  • Criteria for assessing supplier qualifications and technical capacity.
  • Cost-effectiveness vs. lowest price approaches.
• Anti-Corruption & Ethical Considerations in Public Procurement
  • Preventing conflicts of interest, bid-rigging, and fraud.
  • Transparency measures and whistleblower protection.
• Case Study: Reviewing a real-world tender evaluation process.

Day 3: Contract Management, Risk Mitigation & Performance Monitoring

• Key Elements of Public Sector Contracts
  • Performance specifications, payment terms, and dispute resolution clauses.
  • Managing contract amendments and extensions.
• Risk Management in Government Procurement
  • Identifying risks in supplier performance, cost overruns, and non-compliance.
  • Legal remedies and contract termination procedures.
• Supplier Performance Monitoring & Compliance Enforcement
  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Handling contract disputes, penalties, and escalation processes.
• Workshop: Developing a risk mitigation plan for a government contract.

Day 4: Digital Transformation & E-Procurement in the Public Sector

• E-Procurement Systems & Automation
  • Digital platforms for tendering, evaluation, and contract management.
  • Reducing procurement cycle times and enhancing transparency.
• AI & Data Analytics in Public Procurement
  • Predictive analytics for supplier selection and fraud detection.
  • AI-driven contract management and automated decision-making risks.
• Cybersecurity & Data Protection in Government Procurement
  • Handling sensitive procurement data and ensuring cybersecurity compliance.
  • Balancing transparency with data privacy concerns.
• Case Study: Implementing e-procurement solutions in government agencies.

Day 5: Sustainable Procurement & Future Trends in Public Sector Procurement

• Sustainability & Social Value in Government Procurement
  • Green public procurement (GPP) and carbon reduction policies.
  • Social impact procurement and diversity in supplier selection.
• International Trade Agreements & Cross-Border Procurement
  • WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) and trade restrictions.
  • Local content requirements vs. global competition.
• Future Challenges & Trends in Public Procurement
  • The impact of geopolitics on supply chains and procurement policies.
  • Resilient procurement strategies for crisis management (e.g., pandemic response).
• Final Project: Developing a strategic public procurement improvement plan.