Public sector procurement, South Australia

This report examines corruption risks in public sector procurement from the perspective of procurement officers and suppliers. It examines views about corruption risks that are harmful to the integrity of public sector procurement. It also ascertains the prevalence of perceived corruption in South Australian public sector procurement, including which stages of the procurement process and types of procurement are seen to be most at risk. It considers whether some suppliers are deterred from bidding for public sector contracts as they believe that procurement outcomes will be unduly influenced. Detection of corruption in procurement activities is often reliant on public officers reporting suspicious behaviour. This report examines whether suppliers who are contracted to provide goods and services to public authorities are aware of their status and reporting obligations as public officers. It also analyses whether public officers are willing to report and what factors may discourage reporting.