About CPD

Mission and Vision Statements

CPD’s Mission and Vision statements have been defined as:

Mission

“helping maximise the benefits of effective procurement”

Vision

“Customer Focused, Expert People, Adding Value.”

Values

As a part of the Department of Finance and Personnel the Directorate fully subscribes to the values which the Department believes should influence the way in which it works.  These are:-

• clear direction and strong leadership;
• customer focus;
• respect for people;
• open communication;
• working to deliver best value;   
• development of positive working relationships with others;
• commitment to the highest ethical standards of public service, and
• valuing and harnessing the diversity of our staff.

In addition we have identified a further value which is very important to how we, as an organisation, work.  This value is:

• our services and advice to customers will be provided by staff expert in their particular professional discipline and encouraged to be a member of a relevant Professional body.

CPD's values are underpinned by the 12 guiding principles enshrined in the Public Procurement Policy adopted by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Procurement Board and which apply to all public procurement in Northern Ireland.

“CPD - Leading the way in Public Procurement”

CPD is the lead body for the development and dissemination of Public Procurement Policy and Good Practice, which includes the measurement and monitoring of performance in this area across the public sector.

CPD supports the Northern Ireland Public Sector by helping NI Departments obtain best value for money in the procurement of the supplies, services and construction works that are needed to deliver their objectives. We do this by providing expert advice and professional skills during the procurement lifecycle, from initial concept to completion and realisation of benefits. We work in partnership with suppliers, potential suppliers and industry representatives to make them aware of the opportunities available in the public sector market.

We need to ensure that we provide all sectors with opportunities to access information on dealing with the Public Sector.

Best Value for Money” (Revised Definition - April 2011)

The Review of Public Procurement in 2002 defined Best Value for Money as

“the optimum combination of whole life cost and quality (or fitness for purpose) to meet the customer’s requirement”.  

The Committee for Finance and Personnel published its Report on the Inquiry into Public Procurement in Northern Ireland in February 2010.  As part of this work, the Committee identified a need for the practice of achieving VfM to strike a balance between short-term monetary considerations and longer-term economic, social and environmental costs and benefits.  Striking this balance has necessitated a refinement of the definition of Best VfM to take greater cognizance of the importance of sustainable development.  

The revised definition of Best Value for Money, approved by the Procurement Board at its meeting in November 2010 and endorsed by the Executive on 22 March 2011 is:   

“the most advantageous combination of cost, quality and sustainability to meet customer requirements.”

In this context, cost means consideration of the whole life cost; quality means meeting a specification which is fit for purpose and sufficient to meet the customer’s requirements; and sustainability means economic, social and environmental benefits, considered in the business case, in support of the Programme for Government.

CPD is currently in the process of updating key documents on the website to take account of this change.

“CPD - Committed to Continuous Improvement”

CPD is dedicated to continually improving the quality of its work.

Our customers constantly seek improvements in quality, service and cost effectiveness. CPD strives to build on its excellent reputation by seeking to anticipate, understand and satisfy their changing needs.

ISO 9001;2008 Accreditation

ISO 9001; 2008 accreditation is visible evidence that CPD is committed to quality that is valued, accepted and understood internationally.

ISO 9001; 2008 is your assurance that CPD manages its business activities to consistently achieve customer satisfaction.

EFQM - Steps to Excellence

The EFQM Steps to Excellence award is recognition, against an internationally accepted standard, that CPD is continuously striving to improve the quality of public services in Northern Ireland and to maximising the output from the public sector.

Investors In People

"Achieving Success Through our People."

Investors in People recognition demonstrates CPD’s commitment to the delivery of business results through highly skilled and trained staff. To you as a customer, this means that our staff have the skills and flexibility they require to do their job so that your business can benefit through them effectively maximising their output.