Probity Services

While Jim has mostly retired from probity services practice he can refer clients to curently accredited probity services practitioners if requested.

Adviser/Advisor

Probity adviser services are prospective and proactive.  They provide probity assurance to the governance of the procurement or project processes that the supports accountability, integrity, and transparency.  

It includes that the relevant probity risks are identified where possible, the issues are adequately addressed by the project/ procurement, and where issues arise, to offer timely, workable and realistic solutions to manage the related probity and accountability. In all of these the services operate on a “no surprises” basis by providing timely advice both verbally and in writing.
Probity adviser services normally would not be qualified by assumptions or constraints. 
The probity assurance is provided in one or more probity reports.

Audit
Probity audit services are essentially retrospective and reactive; but also provide probity assurance where the review and audit of the applied processes demonstrate accountability, integrity and transparency.
Whether a probity adviser has or has not been previously engaged, or whether a probity plan has or has not been applied, the probity audit will normally be appropriately structured to review or seek information and documentation which might demonstrate the integrity of the project or procurement processes.
The probity audit may be governed by a ‘terms of reference’ and the probity assurance may be subject to realistic assumptions or constraints.
The probity assurance is provided in a probity report which contains related conclusions and also may contain recommendations which would be realistic and constructive.

Assessment and Opinion
A circumstance in a project or procurement may trigger the need for a probity assessment and opinion on the integrity of the circumstance.  The probity task requirement would normally be governed by a scope of the task or the probity services requirement.
The circumstances which might be the subject of a probity assessment and opinion include, e.g.:
• A real or perceived conflict of interest
• Possible apprehension of bias
• Reasonableness of a decision, or process
• Equity of dealings
• Interest or influence of a supplier or other person
• Ability to provide information to third parties
• Activities/behaviour of a supplier contractor
• Referee checks and site visits
• Interviews and demonstrations
• Attendance at conferences, seminars, or sponsored business functions


A probity opinion contains related conclusions, and also may contain recommendations which would be realistic and constructive.

Investigation
Similar to a probity audit, the probity investigation will look at a circumstance in a project or procurement, usually retrospectively, in order to determine the integrity of the issue(s).  If not, the probity report conclusions and recommendations will suggest an appropriate course of action.
 
Peer Review
Services which will review the opinion or work of another Probity Adviser or Auditor for that Probity Services Practitioner, or their client.  The Peer Review will provide an objective structured Review Report.

Expert Witness

My credentials are eminently sound and appropriate as a witness or in affidavit to Courts, Commissions, Hearings, or other investigatory processes, to provide independent, reliable, and substantive evidence and opinion.  

Procurement Services

Procurement services include:

–          Probity briefing(s)

Procurement and project teams can be briefed on the probity and integrity issues, expectations and accountabilities at any stage of the process, preferably early to ensure that probity is built-in not added-on.

In particular briefings are appropriate at stages of: project procurement planning, tender document development, evaluation and selection, or pre-contracting.

–          Risk analysis

Procurement process present assessable risks, and probity risk are a component of procurement and project risk.  The services can identify procurement risks, analyse the risks relative to the project and the procurement environment, and develop strategies for managing the risks.

–          Documentation development and review

The services include the development of procurement documentation, other than the technical specifications and technical schedules.  These include the procurement plan, Request for Tender (RFT), returnable schedules (or tender response forms), evaluation plan, evaluation report, and negotiation plan.  The services also will work with the Client’s legal advisers on the Conditions of tender and Conditions of contract.

–          Process review

Similar to a Process Audit, where procurement, funding arrangements, or sponsorship programs are proposed, the services will review process planning and implementation documentation, methods, response documents and other accountable records, in both pre and post event circumstances to ensure appropriate governance, compliance, risk management, and probity assurance.

–          Procurement strategies

There may be more than one strategy or method of conducting a procurement, funding arrangement, or sponsorship program.  The services can identify the options and the related advantages and disadvantages, leading to the optimum strategy.

–          Evaluation strategies

There may be more than one strategy or method of evaluating or assessing submissions in a procurement, funding arrangement, or sponsorship program.  The services can identify the options and the related advantages and disadvantages, leading to the optimum strategy.

–          Supplier briefing(s)

During a procurement, funding arrangement, or sponsorship program; or when suppliers or service providers are unsuccessful, it may be most appropriate to provide a briefing.  Briefings during the processes, and unsuccessful supplier feedback, can present sensitivities which, if not handled well, can be ineffective or present dissatisfaction and complaint from suppliers and the market.  The services can assist, guide or conduct these briefings.

–          Supplier development

This is an important service to Clients to assist the development, effectiveness, and competitiveness of suppliers and supply chains.  The Services can work with both the supply market and individual suppliers to that end.

Project Services

Services include:

  • Assisting project and procurement staff with procurement risks and efficiencies, and probity risks
  • Development of project procurement documentation
  • Advising on Supplier and  Supply Chain development

Training Services

Training services include:

Preparing and conducting the following activities on procurement and probity topics:

–          Workshops

–          Seminars

–          Courses

Speaker or conducting break-out sessions at national and international Conferences.