The BPS directive focuses on fairness, transparency, and accountability. This means their purchasing process should be open and clear so everyone has equal access and can trust that public funds are used properly.

We also did a class activity to help us better understand how the BPS rules work in real situations. One surprising thing I learned was that not all groups have to follow the BPS directive exactly. Some, like municipalities, have exceptions.

There are different ways to handle risk we can avoid it, transfer it, or manage it directly. Insurance and bonds are often used when danger is present to help protect against financial loss.

We also explored different real-life situations involving risk. One case that stood out was titled “But it was only a $1,000 job,” which showed how even small projects can carry serious risks if not handled properly.

We learned about how agents and principals work together in contracts, and that both have responsibilities.

I also learned the six things that make a contract valid ( Offer, Acceptance, Consideration, Capacity, intent, and Legality), the importance of avoiding mistakes, and that you can’t subcontract unless the contract says so.

We also learned about the different steps in the proposal process, like before the proposal, when the bids are open, and after the bid closes. The whole process can take up to 45 days.

One interesting part was the “debrief,” where bidders are told why they won or lost, and how they performed. Even if a supplier offers a cheaper price, they can’t be chosen if they don’t meet the needed requirements.

In class, we checked some examples of supplier requirements and also made our own, making sure the total score adds up to 100%. We also learned that the evaluation team is not allowed to talk to bidders during the process.

We also talked about how leaders should set a good example, have rules to follow, and take action when someone acts unethically.

In class, we looked at real-life examples to understand how to deal with these situations.

There are different types of contracts in public procurement, such as purchase orders, blanket purchase orders, service level agreements, and master service agreements.

Supplier management helps make sure that suppliers deliver quality goods and services. An evergreen contract means regular, ongoing purchases.

We can measure how well suppliers are performing in both formal and informal ways. Working in public procurement is similar to a customer service role because we build and maintain relationships.

Debriefing is part of keeping good communication with suppliers and is also required under BPS (Broader Public Sector) guidelines.