NEWS BRIEFS

Supply Management, Jul 3, 2008

* UN MANDATES PURCHASING REFORM

The UN General Assembly has approved a new draft resolution on procurement reform.

It said buyers should be properly trained and monitored to comply with ethical standards.

Further steps should also be taken to strengthen oversight of suppliers and their subcontractors, as well as addressing vendor misconduct.

* USAF RAPPED OVER CONTRACT ERRORS

The US Air Force made "significant errors" in its decision to award a $1.5 billion (£762 million) contract for refuelling planes.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigated a complaint from Boeing, which lost out on the deal to build 179 planes to rival Northrop Grumman.

The GAO said the errors could have affected the outcome of a "close contest" between the two firms.

* FIRMS TO PURSUE FLEXIBLE STRATEGY

Companies will increasingly focus on making their supply chains more flexible over the next three years.

A study by consultancy PRTM found the ability to maintain a network of multiple suppliers in many countries would supplant improved product quality as the main driver of strategy by 2010.

* BUSINESS TRAVEL UNDER INSPECTION

The Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) and Institute of Travel Management (ITM) have joined forces to examine industry payment processes and transparency of pricing.

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