A new framework defines the minimum competence requirements for those undertaking procurement activities in the industry.
The purpose of the ‘Competence Framework for Procurement Professionals in the Built Environment in England‘ is to promote and uphold “the highest industry standards” across the lifecycle of a building and in the supply chain and prevent the poor commercial and procurement practices in the years leading up to the Grenfell Tower fire identified in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review.
The 14-page document includes 17 ‘minimum competence’ areas the procurement practitioners must comply with, including aspects relating to legal and contractual requirements, stakeholder engagement, procurement strategy and information management, among others.
It also references the government’s collaborative procurement guidance for design and construction to support building safety, which highlights four fundamental features of a procurement that need to be present in any project, including:
- Selection by value that avoids a race to the bottom
- Early supply chain involvement that improves safety and reduces risks
- Collaborative relationships that improve commitments and involve residents
- A golden thread of information that integrates design, construction and operation
Industry collaboration
The framework is aimed at professional institutions, regulators, enforcing authorities, licensing bodies and organisations undertaking procurement activities to assess the competence of those undertaking the procurement activities.
It is also intended for use by individuals undertaking procurement activities to determine their own competence and to identify areas for development or to use those with the required expertise to undertake the procurement activities.
It has been developed by a working group of representatives from six industry organisations, including the Chartered Institute of Building, the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, the Association for Project Management, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Construction Products Association and the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.
Although it is expected that existing professional vocational, education and technical training will take into account the competence requirements of the framework when designing or reviewing education and training syllabuses, the framework does not cover specific education and training requirements or the requirements related to individuals and duty holders under the CDM Regulations 2015.
‘A really important step’
Ben Farrell, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, said: “This framework is essential to ensure the industry has learnt the lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy. At its heart, this framework is the recognition that procurement professionals have a responsibility to ensure that the products and services that they procure deliver buildings that are safe for those who use them.”
Dame Judith Hackitt said: “The publication of this framework marks a really important step in changing culture and achieving better outcomes in the built environment.
“Procurement sets the tone of the whole project and must promote collaboration, early stage design work which involves the whole supply chain and delivery of real value and fit for purpose buildings. The challenge now of course is to ensure that the framework is adopted and put into practice – we must not assume that is a given but take steps to ensure that it is taken up across the board.”
