By Lourdes Coss, MPA, NIGP-CPP, CPPO
In public procurement, ethics is often viewed as a box to check—a training module to complete or a policy to acknowledge. But true integrity isn’t compliance-driven. It’s culture-driven.
The most effective procurement organizations go beyond the rules to cultivate an environment where doing the right thing is expected, encouraged, and embedded in everyday decisions.
In an era of increased public scrutiny, evolving regulations, and high-stakes contracts, procurement professionals must lead with values—not just procedures.
Why Ethics Must Go Beyond Policy
Yes, the rules matter. Procurement codes, conflict-of-interest policies, and competitive thresholds all serve as critical guardrails.
But what happens when the rules are silent? Or when you’re pressured to take a shortcut to meet a deadline? Or when an influential stakeholder pushes for a preferred outcome?
That’s when culture steps in.
Ethical culture is what guides decisions when no one’s watching. It creates the confidence that public dollars are being spent wisely and fairly—and it builds trust in your organization.
Common Ethical Dilemmas in Procurement
- “Can I meet with this vendor before the RFP is posted?”
- “What if a colleague is related to a bidder?”
- “Should I push this through to avoid upsetting leadership?”
- “Do I disclose that I worked with this vendor before joining the agency?”
Ethical dilemmas often arise in the gray areas—where rules are vague or pressures are high. The answer isn’t always in a manual. It’s in the mindset.
Embedding Ethics in Daily Procurement Practice
1. Create Psychological Safety
Encourage staff to raise ethical concerns without fear of retaliation. Normalize the idea that asking questions is responsible—not disruptive.
Leaders set the tone. If you’re defensive or dismissive, your team will stay silent.
2. Model Ethical Decision-Making
Explain the “why” behind your decisions, especially when they involve turning down a request, rejecting a bid, or elevating a concern.
Transparency teaches. Every moment is a leadership moment.
3. Use Real-Life Scenarios in Training
Move beyond theoretical case studies. Bring in examples your team has actually faced (with names removed) to foster practical discussion and critical thinking.
Scenario-based learning strengthens judgment.
4. Celebrate Integrity, Not Just Outcomes
Recognize team members who made difficult—but right—choices, even if they slowed the process or required a tough conversation.
What gets praised, gets repeated.
Final Word
Compliance is the floor. Culture is the ceiling.
As public procurement professionals, we must champion ethical leadership—not just through policies, but through everyday actions. Because the most trusted procurement teams aren’t just the most efficient. They’re the most principled.
Integrity is not a checkbox—it’s a way of working, thinking, and serving. Let’s lead with it.
Procurement Transformation 