1.3 Role of the End User
The key elements of the end user's role in the procurement process are to:
- adequately define the user's needs, identifying minimum and desirable elements and ensuring that there is adequate consultation with users and their representative bodies (where necessary);
- ensure that the requirement takes account of the organisation's policy requirements, including its corporate social responsibility/sustainability policies, and is aligned against organisational objectives;
- ensure compliance with relevant legal obligations relating to the goods, services or works to be purchased, e.g. environmental/health and safety legislation;
- where appropriate, prepare a business case;
- ensure that funding is in place;
- contribute to drafting the tender specification;
- contribute to development of the procurement strategy;
- be involved throughout the life cycle of the procurement exercise - implementation, review, ongoing intelligence groups;
- provide technical expertise and input to support the bid assessment processes;
- prepare the technical recommendation in any bid assessment report; and
- approve key review stages throughout the procurement process
- Participate in contract management activities in conjunction with the procurement officer.
End users should not deal directly with bidders or potential bidders during the procurement process without the full involvement of and/or approval by the procurement officer.