In England, primary care trusts, or PCTs, are divisions of the National Health Service, which provides various health and dental services to the public. PCTs often have procurement policies that govern how they obtain goods and services. Procurement policies help ensure that quality goods and services are obtained fairly and cost-effectively.
Service Specification
The most important part of a procurement policy is the service specification. It defines the objectives of the procurement and identifies the business requirements attached to it. It should be as clear and concise as possible.
Key Features
Key features of any PCT procurement policy are the bidding process and the structure and terms of any resultant contract. The policy includes a Memorandum of Information to provide bidders with information they need to make competitive bids. Outlining the contract's structure and terms is undertaken after a bid has been made and evaluated.
Additional Features
Further common features of PCT procurement policies include ensuring that the goals of the PCT as a whole are met through a transparent process, and promoting evidence-based decision-making, non-discrimination, accountability and consistency. Above all, clear and concise communication among all parties is the hallmark of a good procurement process.
Tags: clear concise, features procurement, goods services, procurement policies, procurement policy