Page 20 - Sept-2020-Issue

ARTICLE

important and most talked about and can be expanded with time
component of emergency pro- the country is already on and experience.
curement in war time. Defence the right path through
often need Emergency procure- the most powerful Key steps for public
ment depending upon geo po- procurement in emergency
litical situation and peace accords procurement tool
with neighbour countries like the developed by the nation Some of the steps which shall
present scenario on ‘LAC’. for public procurement i.e prove as the key steps in any
Standard Operating Procedure
Countries are exposed to multi- government –e- market (SOP) dealing with emergency
ple risks during emergencies, and (gem). public procurement are :
it is of vital importance that the
authorities make appropriate use • Procurement planning: Must
of the available public resources discriminated against for any include the minimum require-
to mitigate, contain and recover reason. ments of identified goods/
from the adverse effects of such • Administration of resources: works/services, cost estimate,
events. Emergency situations do Efficient and Effective manage- and possible procurement
provide opportunities for the ment of resources when they methods.
manipulation of information and are needed. Such resources may • Relaxed thresholds and strea-
can generate conditions that em- include the financial resources, mlined procedures: is an es-
bolden the improper use of emer- inventory, human skills, pro- sential tool for providing
gency funds and extraordinary duction resources, or informa- streamlining and flexibility in
budgets. Situations may also be tion technology (IT) and natu- emergency procurement.
fashioned theatrically wherein ral resources.
emergency procurements are re- • Reporting: Information which • Accelerated bid: minimum and
sorted to as a result of indecorous are useful to find the facts or to well defined time periods for
planning over the previous years assist in decision making or re- submission of bids for early de-
and the concerned authorities get solving the problems. cision making.
benefitted rather than reprimand- • Solicitation: through adver-
ed for their botch to plan. • Ensure economic competi- tisement, notices, multi & so-
tion: So that the Government cial media, including targeting
get the best possible prices, identified suppliers.
precautions for regulatory quantity, and quality of goods
framework and services through boost to • Eased guarantee requirements:
Taking into consideration the
While making provisions for innovation. immediate need of the goods
emergency powers specifically • MSME Participation: Appro- and services.
required to be exercised due to priate measures to ensure that
any emergency situations like micro, small and medium-sized • Waiving bid and performance
the present one of pandemic enterprises participate. security requirements: for bet-
COVID, basic deterrents need • Monitoring of public expendi- ter participation and competi-
to be ensured while utilizing the ture: Real-time monitoring and tive rates.
public fund in the best interest of audit of the application and • Advance payments: for avoid-
the State. Organizations like Tran- destination of resources. ing financing cost on the bids.
sparency International have also • Facilitating participation of
stressed upon this aspect. Some • Balanced approach: Balance MSEs and MSMEs: Appro-
of the issues requiring atten- between processes and priate measures to ensure that
tion based on dealing with such regulations. micro, small and medium-sized
issues are: • Timelines and Instructions: enterprises participate.
Defined timelines of applicabil-
• Transparency and open data: ity & Clarity of instructions. • Simplification of Pre and Post
To ensure that everyone can Qualification criteria: for better
obtain data without being The list certainly is not exhaustive participation.

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20 KaleidOscope September, 2020KaleidOscope September, 2020