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13 September 2012 | Anna Reynolds
A project to tackle the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) saw the team from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation scoop top prize at the CIPS Supply Management Awards 2012.
In front of a packed ballroom of buyers at the gala evening hosted in association with BravoSolution, NATO won the Best Contribution to the Reputation of the Procurement Profession category, and then followed up later in the evening by taking the overall award.
The winning project involved establishing a deal with an external contractor that covered three key counter-IED pillars: strategic and tactical policy development, training and mobile advisory teams.
The judges said: “This project is a fascinating and innovative example of how procurement can influence strategic policy development. It takes a completely new approach to countering the threat of IEDs, demonstrating innovation and creativity.”
The deal was set out as a fixed-term contract, including a ‘surge capability’ clause in case a quick and temporary increase in support was needed. The programme trained 2,840 soldiers from 33 nations to identify and attack the whole network surrounding an IED, including the financer, supplier, transporter, builder, planner, emplacer and triggerman. Lessons in how to collect post-blast intelligence for forensic analysis has enabled NATO forces to find and capture the perpetrators of IEDs, which has successfully reduced casualties.
Click here to read about the individual winners
Other team winners on the night included:
Best contribution to corporate responsibility
Heathrow Airport Limited
Best Cross-Functional Teamwork
Everything Everywhere
Highly commended: LOCOG
Best People Development Initiative
Surrey County Council
Best Public Procurement Project
Surrey County Council
Best Supplier Relationship Management
Tarmac Limited & Brammer UK Limited
International Purchasing Project of the Year
Royal Mail Group
Most Improved Purchasing Operation - Step Change
Capita plc
Most Improved Purchasing Operation - Start Up
A&N Media
Best Contribution to the Reputation of the Procurement Profession
North Atlantic Treaty Organization – HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation
