Amid the messages of complex and difficult times it should be no
surprise that a traditionally challenging topic – procurement
– would be even more complex these days. The attention needed
to sustain the health of any business is even greater as we
struggle to "flatten the curve" through self-isolation.
But industry dare not stop altogether: given the lead times for
project approval, design, award and performance, there is a
straight line between sustaining industry and ensuring that viable
procurement is not interrupted.
The message is clear as government and industry proclaim that
they will continue to publish tender calls but caution that
"adjustments could occur." The burden is on the bidder to
keep an eye on those adjustments as the law of tendering is not
suspended by current circumstances. Considerations of Contract A on
the bidding competition process and Contract B on the ultimate
award continue as ever; the only accommodation for the impacts of
pandemic is
