ABSTRACT
Contracting authorities have a vested interest in providing information and feedback with a view towards supplier development and market improvement. Their overriding agenda is to support suppliers and ensure a level playing field. The concept of supplier development is all encompassing and inclusive of both the input of contracting authorities and the support of third parties, such as publicly funded independent consulting and training. McKevitt and Davis1 define the concept as ‘any activity that a buying firm undertakes to improve a supplier’s performance and capabilities to meet the buying firm’s supply needs’. Many researchers suggest a form of mentoring from the buyer, which helps the supplier to understand how to learn from experience rather than the delivery of a specific solution or formulaic approach. From research carried out among buyers, it appears that buyers are willing to engage in such mentoring.2 It is suggested by Lloyd and McCue that there is a moral obligation on public procurement professionals to support suppliers through mentoring.3
