the agent
Published: 28 August, 2008
Centre management teams should always strive to provide clients with the best possible levels of service, both in terms of supplier selection and tendering capability - and that's why many managing agents such as DTZ employ specialist procurement consultants, such as Buying Force.
Our centre managers are not only looking for the best value in the current marketplace, they're keen to ensure that they have in place a performance-based contract with their suppliers. Our total facilities management contract, which incorporates cleaning and waste management, security, M&E, building and landscaping, forms part of the tender documentation and is agreed in full prior to contract award. It meets the centre manager's objectives as the document contains both service level agreements and key performance indicators.
Our preferred suppliers have undergone a rigorous three stage vetting procedure encompassing a detailed pre-qualification questionnaire. The next stage is to undertake a full financial review and obtain extensive geographic client references. On successful progress through the first two stages a head office visit is arranged for validation of the processes and procedures described in the pre-qualification questionnaire.
When asked by a client to undertake a procurement exercise on a portfolio of properties, we will look to aggregate the properties and services to be provided. This will enable a potential cost saving with regards to the contract sum and result in a lower tendering fee as only one tender exercise is being undertaken rather than each property in the portfolio being procured on an individual basis.
By following this process, centre management teams will ensure they remain compliant with the RICS Code of Practice and reduce service charge costs - especially important during this difficult trading period.
Don Lemen,
Director, DTZ
