Hey Thanks so much for taking part in the Collaboration for Change Survey. One of the questions we asked you, was to list your top two questions about the CPPC. Below we try to answer some of them.
Why is the CPPC so costly to attend?
The truth is, the CPPC is actually quite cost-effective
1. The CPPC is a unique platform combining both conference type presentations with intensive training workshops facilitated by international and regional experts. The cost of CPPC is actually comparably priced to conference and training programmes in other parts of the world against which we benchmark our content and faculty (see Osgoode Hall Law School, International Law Institute, Centre for Parliamentary Studies, IP3 Institute and others). Regional and local participants actually save thousands of dollars in flights and accommodation by having some of the worlds thought leaders in the field right here on our shores.
2. The platform actually represents more value for money for regional participants as it does not regurgitate international trends, developments, strategies and tools but brokers them through a regional jurisprudential, cultural and economic lens.
3. The CPPC is not funded, sponsored or subsidized by any Government, regional body or international lending organization. This allows not only for a plurality of viewpoints but also for independent critique and interrogation of “best practice” procurement governance norms, practices and theories.
4. The CPPC platform is not just a two-day conference but also includes ongoing free support from the CPPC experts through the Ask the Expert function on the CPI website and through the Q&A function on the CPI mobile app.
5. Qualified CPPC participants also receive two years membership fees to the Caribbean Association of Procurement Professionals (CAPP). CAPP is an accredited member association of the International Federation of Purchasing & Supply Chain Management (IFPSM). Membership benefits include free training events and workshops, discounts on all CPI events, support from other professionals and accredited programmes.
What is the primary goal of CPPC and how is this achieved?
The primary goal of CPPC is to stimulate discourse and build professional capacity in public procurement, thereby impacting regional and domestic policy, bi and multi-lateral treaty negotiations and operational procurement.
Our focus is on professionalism as distinct from credentialism. The goal is to stimulate real professional transformation with participants leaving armed with the knowledge, competence and courage to act with integrity in public sector procurement.
This is achieved by combining presentations dealing with the theoretical underpinnings with practical workshop sessions covering the tools, strategies and techniques. We also continue to provide free ongoing support to CPPC participants between conferences as they tackle challenges and complications back in the “real” world.
What is CAPP and what has it achieved to date?
The Caribbean Association of Procurement Professionals is a non-profit organization incorporated in 2008 in Trinidad and Tobago. It is an accredited member of the International Federation of Purchasing & Supply Chain Management and has the following mission and objectives
To promote high standards of professional skill, ethics and integrity among all those engaged in procurement
• To increase the appreciation of the value of procurement good practice by raising the profile of procurement professionals in the region
• To encourage learning, knowledge sharing and consensus building in the region
• To establish and implement training and certification standards and requirements for the procurement profession
• To work with its members to establish and mentor national chapter associations
• To promote reform in procurement regimes consistent with established best practice
At present CAPP is jointly sponsored by the CPI. The IFPSM and CPI are working closely with the Board of CAPP to develop inter- nationally accredited certifications for professionals engaged in the function of procurement. CAPP members benefit from discounts on all CPI training intensives, programmes, conferences and workshops and have access to arrangements presently being negotiated with other professional bodies in the international purchasing community.
To date, CAPP has over two hundred members and has developed and published its Code of Ethics, which every member must sign.
In development is the Public Sector Procurement Professional (PSPP) Certificate programme.
The success of CAPP is directly correlated to the work, contribution and commitment of the members and we encourage all members to get information on how they can become more involved in the work of the Committees and the Board.
Will the new Public Procurement & Disposal of Property Bill No.2 of 2014 be covered?
As at the time of writing the PP&DP Bill No.2 of 2014 is currently being debated by the House of Representatives. The legislation has the potential to revolutionalize public procurement in Trinidad and Tobago and so of course we will be covering it!
We will be having several speakers reference the provisions in the bill in relation their area of expertise. Additionally we will be having a panel discussion on Public Procurement Reform where the bill and its ramifications for public bodies and public sector professionals and suppliers will be discussed in detail.
How Do I Get More Involved?
Join CAPP and offer yourself to work on the board and/or its various committees. The membership organization is still fledgling and in need of talent and support.
Is this conference designed only for practising procurement personnel? What specific qualifications are required?
One of the key distinguishing features of the CPPC platform and the foundation for the educational approach of the CPI is that we approach the field in a multi-disciplinary fashion.
Our focus is on building a common language of public procurement knowledge and expertise transferable across the broad range of professionals who engage in public procurement on a daily basis. CPI’s integrated approach creates capacity building interventions, not only for purchasing, supply and logistics officers but also for lawyers, finance, economists, risk, construction, audit and project management professionals.
Accordingly, no specific qualifications are required.
What tangible results have been gained from past Conferences? Has the Conference made any difference in the way procurement works since its inception?
Yes. We have worked assiduously over the years since 2008 to build public procurement professional capacity. Our programmes empower procurement professionals to act with knowledge, competence and integrity in service of the public interest.
There are three main drivers for effective public procurement reform. Firstly, there must be a clear, written and comprehensive public procurement policy outlining the rules of the process, assigning clear roles and responsibilities and providing for transparent, accountable, fair and equitable principles to be applied. Secondly, there needs to be a strong institutional framework which monitors the implementation of the policy, reviews the performance and is properly resourced to enforce the policy. Thirdly, there needs to be a sophisticated cadre of professionals skilled in the law, art and science of procurement who are implementing the policy and working in the institutional framework on a day to day basis to ensure that we achieve best value procurement through the public procurement function.
It should be noted that even without the clear, written policy and the robust institutions, (which lies primarily in the hands of the government) there is still quite a bit that we as professionals can do in order to have more effective public procurement. There are many laws which impact the public procurement function which are not currently being properly understood, implemented or enforced. The third element of building professional capacity in public procurement is therefore crucial with or without the first and second elements. This is where CPPC aims to and does have greatest impact as a movement and platform by professionals for professionals. Led by leading thinkers, practitioners, academics, executives and professionals in the field of economics, law, finance and procurement the CPPC platform is geared specifically to support professionals in the current public procurement regulatory environment.
We provide ongoing support to our CPPC community and the CAPP members and there have been many instances of successful change being implemented in public bodies directly attributable to the work, vision and commitment of our participants to making a difference. We also support our community in pursuing further academic studies in public procurement law at the masters and Phd levels.
From a recently completed survey we received the following feedback
100% of the survey respondents who attended a previous CPPC indicated that it either met (55.17%) or exceeded (44.83%) your expectations. A staggering 86.21% indicated that the best attribute of the CPPC was the breadth and quality of the information strategies and tools imparted. In second place 10.34% indicated that the quality of the lecturers and speakers were the best attribute and finally 3.45% indicated it was all of the above along with the internet networking. Some of your suggestions for improvement of CPPC included: including a forum for local businesses who supply goods and services to the public sector, more interactive sessions, more information about the roles and responsibilities of non-lawyer public procurement.
Some of our past participants have had this to say about the CPPC platform:
Within the top three courses I have ever attended.’
‘Quite an eye opener, providing tools that can be applied to procurement.’
‘It was indeed a unique and educational experience. In fact, I recommend
that procurement law be included as a module in the faculty of law. B’dos year II or III.’
‘Great, real world examples illustrative of the principles through ample case law.’
‘Exposure to the sleeping giants that are often underestimated.’ ‘Informative and mind opening.’
‘Excellent.’
‘Relevant to global changes. Clearly identifiable with real world.’ ‘Information and intelligence disseminated. Excellent.’
‘Real good information. Stimulating.’
‘It was strongly based on the Canadian System which was already effective in dealing with Procurement Issues, so real live situations were used. An indication as to the direction of T&T was strongly emphasized. Thus giving us a great guide as to where we are going and how much we still have to cover.’
‘Very informative; has empowered me with knowledge on procurement law and proper procurement procedures.’
‘Excellent case law, detailed content
‘It is certainly an excellent programme and one that I would recommend without hesitation.’
What topics will be addressed at the Conference?
Please see our Why Attend Page for more information on our topics and speakers or download the 4th CPPC 2014 Brochure here.
How Can I Attend For Free?
At every CPPC we invite all Members of Parliament and Ministers of Government to attend for free. This year, for the first time, we are offering full Media and NGO passes to accredited organisations allowing their representatives to also attend for free. If you are in any of these categories please contact the CPPC secretariat at 1(868) 624 4997 or dbutts@caribbeanprocurementinstitute.com to complete the accreditation process.
We hope that we have answered most of your questions about CPPC here. Questions relating to the actual subject matter (eg. What are the rules governing emergency procurement?) are outside the scope of this post but will definitely be answered at CPPC.
We look forward to your participation and assure that it will be the most useful public procurement event you have ever attended.
