The Business Services Association (BSA) welcomes the challenge to new methods of procurement outlined in the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) vision statement.

Norman Rose, BSA Director-General, is encouraged by the emphasis placed on best value for money in the statement. He explained: "The past experience of BSA member companies shows that Government has approached procurement very differently from private sector clients. There has been a fixation with lowest price with little interest in whole life costing. While there is much talk about partnership there is as yet little evidence of this in practice. "

BSA endorses the "fresh approach" to the provision of services in the public sector outlined in recent Treasury statements, and believes that OGC plays a vital part in taking these concepts from theory into practice.

"The role of OGC in co-ordinating procurement policy across Government departments will be crucial in encouraging and promoting best practice. As major private sector providers, we look forward to working with them and with our colleagues inn the public sector to develop public services of the highest possible quality," concluded Norman Rose.

Office of Government Commerce www.ogc.gov.uk

Anna Lagerkvist