An Architect's Guide to Public Procurement

13.Learning through participation

Contracting authorities have a vested interest in providing information and feedback with a view towards supplier development and market improvement. Their overriding agenda is to support suppliers and ensure a level playing field. The concept of supplier development is all encompassing and inclusive of both the input of contracting authorities and the support of third parties, such as publicly funded independent consulting and training. McKevitt and Davis¹ define the concept as ‘any activity that a buying firm undertakes to improve a supplier’s performance and capabilities to meet the buying firm’s supply needs’. Many researchers suggest a form of mentoring from the buyer, which helps the supplier to understand ...