Probity is evidence of ethical behaviour in a particular process. For Government procurement, demonstrating probity means more than just avoiding corrupt or dishonest conduct. It involves proactively demonstrating that any procurement process is robust and the outcome beyond reproach. Probity requires acting in such a way that there can be no perception of bias, influence or lack of integrity. This requires ethical conduct that exceeds the legal requirements.
Most governments have Ethics Legislation and Code of Conduct that apply to various government departments which guide the Probity in Tendering. Under these guides, government employees are to observe some of the following principles:
- integrity and impartiality
- promoting the public good
- commitment to the system of government
- accountability and transparency
All Government Departments including Local Government are required to always conduct procurements in a framework of probity and fairness.
Often Government Departments engage independent Probity Advisor for complex, high risk and high value procurements.
The Probity Advisor operates independently and guides the tender team if there are any issues that is likely to challenge the tender process. At the end of the tender process, the the Probity Advisor provides a report outlining the fairness of the tender process and how any of the fairness issues were dealt with.
The Probity Advisor also manages the conflict of interest declaration from all the Tender Team.