GO PRO reader feedback

Procurement Ponderable

The goal of Go Pro is to stimulate thought and discussion on significant issues in the profession, to foster collaboration and community, and to encourage creative solutions to common challenges. In that spirit, each issue of Go Pro will present a hypothetical scenario describing a challenge that procurement professionals might face in the course of their careers. If you feel moved to respond – and we hope that you do – we’ll publish your comments in the next issue of Go Pro.

You competed and awarded a consulting contract to update the local planning document. Not only did you negotiate a great deal, the contract included a detailed schedule, well-defined deliverables and related milestone payments. You also made sure to remind the Planning Department of its responsibility for contract Administration and Project Management on this highly visible project. Occasionally, you would see the Planning Director and ask how the project was going. Each time, she responded that everything was going great. About eight months into the nine-month project, you receive an urgent message from the Planning Director. She just left a Planning Commission meeting where she “was raked over the coals” because the proposed revisions had not been presented to the Commission as promised when the contract was awarded. She demands that you contact the consultant first thing the next morning to find out “What is his problem … he is the most unprofessional, no good … making me look bad … never get another contract from me or any other …” The message goes on, but you understand the gist and delete the message. Before you can call the consultant, you receive an e-mail from him requesting an increase in the fee due to delays and extra work requested by the Planning Department. What do you do?

Send your thoughts, as well as your ideas for more scenarios, to [email protected].

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