OGCbuying.solutions achieves CIPS Certification
Date Issued: 29 January 2009
OGCbuying.solutions has today announced that it has achieved certification from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), achieving the CIPS Certification Standard of Excellence in Purchasing Policies and Procedures.
The CIPS Organisational Certification programme is an established benchmark of excellence in organisational procurement competence. The assessment programme involved a series of workshops and analysis of Buying Solutions' procurement practices. This rigorous assessment included Buying Solutions' staff answering and providing evidence for 500 questions, integral to the CIPS Certification.
As part of the CIPS Certification process, Buying Solutions was examined in five key areas: Policy; Applied Strategy; Transactions Management; the Business Environment and European Procurement Supplies Directive. It was awarded full marks for each area reviewed.
Roy Ayliffe, CIPS Director, Knowledge & Representation said: "We were very impressed in general with Buying Solutions, but of particular note were four areas; the use of eTools, the Customer Value Indicator; Vision and Category Management. Buying Solutions' commitment to these areas is impressive, and is rooted in the company infrastructure, which reflects well on continuous improvement."
An additional component of the CIPS Certification is a number of recommendations made to assist organisations in achieving the requirements of CIPS Certification. In the case of Buying Solutions, there were no further recommendations necessary in order to achieve the award.
David Murray, Director of Corporate Services at Buying Solutions, commented on the award: "This is an outstanding result and a great acknowledgement of the excellence and professionalism of our people, processes and category management model. Buying Solutions will continue to work over coming weeks and months to build upon this exceptional achievement."
For further information on Buying Solutions CIPS Certification, please contact the Buying Solutions' Service Desk on 0845 410 2222.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
OGCbuying.solutions is an Executive Agency of the Office of Government Commerce, which is itself an office of HM Treasury.
It provides public sector procurement professionals with a route to the products and services they need to maximise procurement efficiency and value for money. Its contracts and framework agreements offer substantial savings through significant buying power, economies of scale and strategic partnerships.
Rigorous tendering and evaluation processes ensure that products and services are checked for quality, price competitiveness, fitness for purpose and compliance with statutory requirements. These products and services are available through OGCbuying.solutions' framework agreements, managed services and other procurement arrangements.
More details are available on the website: www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk
Media contact:
Ben Heppenstall
ben.heppenstall@ogcbs.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0151 672 2218