Enduring beliefs or ideals shared by public procurement and stakeholders

Values and Guiding Principles of Public Procurement

In October 2010, the NIGP Board of Directors finalized and adopted our official Values and Guiding Principles. Since then, over 100 stakeholder organizations have adopted or supported the Values and Guiding Principles to empower and elevate the public procurement profession.

NIGP Values

We depend on values to construct the frameworks of our professional lives. The approved NIGP values are enduring beliefs or ideals shared by public procurement and stakeholders about what actions are and are not appropriate.

They achieve the following:

  • Serve as broad guidelines
  • Exert major influence on the behavior of an individual
  • Influence how we make choices, what choices we make, and how we are to be judged on our actions by the stakeholders

Adopt & Support

NIGP encourages organizations to formally adopt and support our Values and Guiding Principles of public procurement as a way to continuously improve the procurement profession and help drive it forward. 

View current adopting and supporting organizations

Accountability

Taking ownership and being responsible to all stakeholders for our actions. This value is essential to preserve the public trust and protect the public interest.

Ethics

Doing the right thing. This value is essential to deserve the public's trust.

Impartiality

Unbiased decision making and actions. This value is essential to ensure fairness for the public good.

Professionalism

Upholding high standards of job performance and ethical behavior. This value is essential to balance diverse public interests.

Service

Obligation to assist stakeholders. This value is essential to support the public good.

Transparency

Easily accessible and understandable policies and processes. This value is essential to demonstrate responsible use of public funds.

Caveats Concerning the Guiding Principles

Our Guiding Principles are meant to guide professional behavior by considering a broad range of procurement expectations and standards. That's why it's important for procurement agencies and stakeholder organizations to recognize the following assumptions that concern the Guiding Principles.