Internet auction dispute

The Local Government Taskforce (LGTF) is at loggerheads with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) over the use of internet-based reverse auctions.
Despite reports that many local authorities are looking to implement e-auctions as a more efficient and effective means of procurement, the LGTF is calling for a considered approach to the method.
However, the OGC has supported the use of e-auctions in some aspects of procurement.
The dispute between central and local government became apparent in minutes from the LGTF's 24 March board meeting, which reveal the group's project director, Peter Bishop, decided on the board's agreed position, even though "the OGC felt that we shouldn't take a positive stance against e-auctions".
The LGTF will now lobby government clients to urge them to consider all options when procuring goods and services, and to apply a model that best delivers against their brief.
LGTF chairman Tim Byles said: "E-auctions go against the grain of much of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's advice and certainly don't sit comfortably with what we now know to be more effective, better considered and more cost-beneficial procurement models."