Highways Agency sets agenda for next three years

Greater collaboration with partners and other clients, together with further efforts to strengthen its supply chain are the main focus of the Highways Agency (HA) for the next three years.

In its Delivering Best Value Solutions and Services to Customers - HA Procurement Strategy Review 2005 the agency hopes to:

• Extend early contractor involvement principles further into the supply chain for fully integrated teams.
• Develop a Best Practice Charter in consultation with the supply chain.
• Make greater use of performance data as part of supplier selection and establishing new targets to support improved delivery of services.
• Develop the ‘Community’ concept into other areas of procurement.

• Implement a programme of review to ensure propriety and regularity are maintained.
• Assess the practicality and value of introducing project accounts and project-based insurance

HA procurement director Steve Rowsell said:  “The industry and HA procurement teams have shown great commitment to the challenges set out in 2001, and this has been the key to our success.  But it is now time for a new challenge.

“As we strive to put customers at the heart of our business, procurement has a fundamental role in delivering high quality services. This means we will expect nothing but the best from our suppliers.

“In return, as a major client in the construction industry, we will continue to show leadership as we learn more about the extended supply chain, ensure integration into the planning and design processes, and make it clear to our suppliers what is expected of them.  I have every confidence that the industry can once again rise to the challenge.”