National Transport Authority

The functionality in use to date has produced better compliance, governance and reporting of ongoing procurement competitions and ongoing contracts.  Implementation, mobilisation, data migration and provision of system documentation was conducted by Accord efficiently and without any delays, which enabled go-live in line with proposed timescales.  Additionally, configuration of the system to align to the organisation’s specific procurement and contract practices has been completed in an efficient and timely manner.  Overall, the system benefits and relationship with the service provider has been highly positive.

Mark Bradwell, Senior Procurement Manager, National Transport Authority

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The National Transport Authority (NTA) of Ireland is the state agency responsible for planning and managing public transportation across the country. It oversees public transport services, infrastructure development, and regulatory activities that ensure safe, efficient and accessible transport options. The NTA plays a key role in improving Ireland’s transport network, managing services like buses, trams, and taxis, and implementing policies to promote sustainable mobility, such as cycling and walking initiatives.

Previous Challenges: Manual, Fragmented Processes

Before implementing the Accord system, the National Transport Authority (NTA) faced significant challenges in managing procurement, contract scheduling and administration. The organisation relied heavily on manual processes, primarily using Excel spreadsheets to record information. Contracts and related documents were stored across a mix of shared and local drives, which made collaboration difficult and increased the risk of data loss or inappropriate access. File sharing through email or other platforms further complicated matters, often leading to missed deadlines, poor governance and limited access to essential information for key stakeholders. These inefficiencies highlighted the need for a more robust, centralised solution to manage procurement and contracts effectively.

Why Accord? A Comprehensive Solution

NTA chose Accord through a competitive public procurement process that attracted nine submissions. A detailed evaluation of quality and cost was conducted, where Accord ranked highest in quality and second in cost, offering an excellent balance of value for money. Accord stood out for its ability to meet all of NTA’s procurement and contract management requirements. Target IS, the provider of Accord, proposed an efficient implementation strategy, including mobilisation, data migration, and user training. Their approach to project management and delivery was another key factor in NTA’s decision to select Accord.

Post-Implementation: Improved Governance and Efficiency

Since the implementation of Accord, NTA has seen marked improvements in its procurement and contract management processes. The system went live without delays, thanks to the smooth transition and efficient data migration facilitated by the team at Accord. Accord has significantly enhanced contract reporting and provided real-time alerts for key contractual events, such as renewal or expiry dates. Additionally, the system offers comprehensive dashboards that track procurement processes, from live tenders to contract status updates, ensuring greater oversight. With a supplier database, audit trails and multi-user access governed by hierarchical permissions, NTA now enjoys improved governance and compliance across the organisation.

NTA has found the Accord system intuitive and easy to use, with its functionality exceeding expectations. Users across the procurement department and the wider organisation have benefitted from the system’s seamless configuration to meet NTA’s specific needs. The improved reporting and oversight capabilities have not only streamlined procurement processes but have also enhanced decision-making at every level.

Standout Features: Enhancing Workflow and Compliance

Several standout features of Accord have made a substantial difference in NTA’s day-to-day operations:

  • The Homepage and Workplan Dashboard offers at-a-glance updates on procurement processes and contract statuses, allowing for faster decision-making.
  • The Forward Look Reporting feature provides insights into resource allocation and identifies potential bottlenecks, enabling NTA to proactively mitigate issues. 
  • Automated email alerts ensure that critical contract milestones are not missed, improving contract compliance and forward planning. 
  • The Procurement Tracker Dashboard has simplified high-level reporting, making it easier to share status updates with stakeholders.
  • Additionally, the Excel Export Functionality has streamlined the process of providing data to external auditors and senior management. 
  • At the same time, the system’s ease of configuration has allowed NTA to tailor it to their specific procurement practices efficiently.

The functionality in use to date has produced better compliance, governance and reporting of ongoing procurement competitions and ongoing contracts.  Implementation, mobilisation, data migration and provision of system documentation was conducted by Accord efficiently and without any delays, which enabled go-live in line with proposed timescales.  Additionally, configuration of the system to align to the organisation’s specific procurement and contract practices has been completed in an efficient and timely manner.  Overall, the system benefits and relationship with the service provider has been highly positive.

Services Provided by Accord

  • Procurement & Contract Management System: NTA has integrated Accord’s Register of Supplier Expenditure Contracts and Contract Management System, boasting features like Alerts, Escalations, and a Workplan Dashboard. Supporting over 300 users, this system grants full visibility into contract lifecycles.
  • OJEU Tender Tracker: To ensure adherence to EU procurement regulations, NTA implemented Accord’s OJEU Tender Tracker Module.
  • Spend Analytics: Accord’s Spend Analytics feature lets NTA import data from its finance system via files exported from the Purchase Ledger. This functionality tracks actual versus forecast spend, offering enhanced visibility into spending patterns and enabling NTA to make informed decisions and adjust forecasts as necessary.
  • Annual Subscription Services: Accord provides NTA with hosting, security, maintenance, and support services. These services include unlimited contracts, internal users, and suppliers, ensuring future scalability.

In conclusion, Accord has transformed NTA’s approach to procurement and contract management, replacing fragmented manual processes with a streamlined, centralised system. The implementation of Accord has resulted in better governance, improved compliance and more effective reporting, allowing NTA to manage contracts and procurement projects with greater efficiency and oversight. Additionally, the Spend Analytics feature has enabled NTA to track and optimise financial performance, further enhancing the organisation’s procurement strategy.

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