SPEaR Good Practice Guidelines 2008: Research and Evaluation Contracting
Applying the Principles to Research and Evaluation Contracting
For a comprehensive guide to social research contracting forms The Social Research Association's good practice guidelines on commissioning social research provides helpful information.
Officials should be aware of the binding procurement directions which must be used by government departments (and are recommended for other public agencies). These are:
- Mandatory Rules for Procurement by Departments from The Ministry of Economic Development which was endorsed by Cabinet 18/04/06 and applies to contracts over $100,000.
- Government Procurement in New Zealand: Policy Guide for Purchasers (August 2007) from the Ministry of Economic Development.
- Procurement guidance for public entities from The Office of the Controller and Auditor-General.
- Guidelines for Contracting with Non-Government Organisations for Services Sought by the Crown from the Treasury, especially the checklist on pages 36-38.
Officials holding financial delegations need to ensure alignment with the agency purchase agreement, procurement policy, statement of intent, and financial delegations, and that action taken is in accordance with legal requirements including the Public Finance Act 1989 and the Crown Entities Act 2004. Legal advice will usually be incorporated into agency processes and contracting templates. Legal sign off should be acquired on the process and proposed contract prior to undertaking.
As with other parts of the Guidelines, a living document approach means that there is scope for refinement, editing and additions. Illustrative Contract extracts are being collected.
