PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
In the US , for example , it is governed by a complex system of laws , regulations and policies at federal , state and local levels . One such law is the Federal Acquisition Regulation , which governs the procurement process for federal agencies . It covers everything from how to solicit bids to how to award contracts .
Public sector procurement in the European Union ( EU ) is largely governed by a framework of rules and regulations called the EU Procurement Directives , which dictates procedures that must be followed by public sector organisations in the purchasing of goods , services and works . There are also EU rules around promoting small and medium-sized enterprises , such as the requirement to divide large contracts into smaller lots that can be bid on by SMEs .
In Southeast Asia , meanwhile , public procurement practices vary significantly between countries , since each has its own laws , regulations and procedures .
“ If you wind the clock back five years , the commercial function in government wasn ’ t well regarded ”
GARETH RHYS WILLIAMS , GOVERNMENT CCO
That said , there are some common themes that apply across the region :
• Centralised procurement In some countries , public sector procurement is centralised at the national level , with a single agency responsible for managing procurement across all government departments and agencies .
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