Probity Advice and Audit

External Management Consultants adopts a rigorous approach to accepting and executing probity assignments.  Our methodology is based on a comprehensive understanding of and direct experience in the application of probity principles and processes. It encompasses factors such as value for money, fairness and impartiality, perceived and actual conflicts of interest, openness and accountability, and confidentiality, including the protection of IP.

Additionally, our approach comprises other key elements that provide a significant point of difference from our competitors.

Conflicts of interest

We place a strong emphasis on conservatively assessing our own position in relation to potential conflicts prior to accepting probity related engagements.  We undertake conflict checking procedures at regular intervals for extended procurement projects.  Where, during the procurement process, a potential conflict is identified that is not acceptable to ourselves and/or the client, we will execute a comprehensive hand-over of our engagement. 

Experienced advisors

We have found that application of probity principles to emerging situations and different procurement process can be complex.  Further, failures of probity processes in procurement can be damaging both to the agency and the firm providing the services.  Our clients appreciate the assurance gained from having senior and experienced advisors on hand to provide timely sound and authoritative advice at all times. 

The key benefits of External Probity Advice and Audit include:

• Ensuring conformity to process
• Providing accountability
• Ensuring interests of tenderers are protected by an equitable process
• Ensuring that all offers assessed against the same criteria
• Ensuring all reasonable expectations of tenderers are met
• Preserving perceived and actual public and the private sector confidence in procurement processes
• Improving defensibility of decisions to potential legal challenge
• Providing confidence to all tenderers that they will be treated fairly and equitably.

To ensure probity, External Management Consultants focuses on:

• Reviewing processes before they are implemented by the tender appraisal team (for example, the tender evaluation methodology);
• Ensuring the evaluation team is aware of its responsibilities under proper governance and probity practices;
• Being aware of documentation for tender call and oversight;
• Identifying matters that determine that the evaluative process support expected outcomes;
• Acting as a probity mentor and facilitator during the procurement process;
• Providing a quality assurance role in ensuring procurement policies and guidelines are followed;
• Acting as “devil’s advocate” in the decision making process;
• Signing off each stage of the procurement process that all probity expectations have been met; and
• Providing a probity report.

For further information regarding External Probity, please contact us.