4.2 In order to get better outcomes for less, the Government needs to have information on the range of contracts across Government. Information is particularly needed on the number of contracts and range of prices for similar items and the volume of business with particular suppliers. There are nearly 50 professional buying organisations procuring similar goods and services in Government. As a result, there is a risk that Government is not achieving the best prices based on its total volume of business. One of the positive features of PFI is that there is a database of some key information on most PFI contracts.
4.3 The Office of Government Commerce's Collaborative Procurement Programme, established in 2007, has led to some real improvements in the way public bodies buy goods and services. These include the introduction of framework agreements to cover the procurement of particular types of goods or services from pre-approved suppliers over a fixed period of time. However, a number of outstanding issues limit the efficiency improvements delivered. These include poor information which prevents evidence-based procurement decisions.44
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44 National Audit Office and Audit Commission, A review of collaborative procurement across the public sector, May 2010.