Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab
This session delved into the public procurement professional's role in relational public contracting for innovation, sustainability and VCSEs. By exploring the intricate relationship between procurement practices and relational contracting, we highlighted how professionals might drive social value through collaborative and responsible partnerships.
The third afternoon session, delved into the public procurement professional’s role in relational public contracting for innovation, sustainability, and Voluntary Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). The need for relational approaches in procurement and the challenges of integrating social value into the procurement processes whilst managing complex relationships was highlighted, as was the role of discretion in contract renegotiation. Professor Carolyn Heinrich, of Vanderbilt University, cautioned that “governments that adhere to strict public procurement rules may discourage discretion and forgo the important benefits that could improve contract efficiencies”.