L4M8 Sample Questions FV

CIPS Level 4 – Diploma in Procurement and Supply
Procurement and Supply in

Practice [L4M8]
Sample Questions
Leading global excellence in procurement and supply

(Q1) Data – Schools
The procurement of products and services by government funded schools represents a significant sum of
money spent in an important area of the public sector. Staffing typically amounts to around 70% of school
costs. The remainder consists of operating and maintenance expenditures, such as gas and electricity,
catering, stationery, buildings maintenance, cleaning and insurance. These are purchased from external
suppliers and account for a sizeable proportion of any school’s budget. There is a growing focus on the
importance of procurement activity within schools, as they have often failed to comply with government
procedures for procurement.
A report entitled ‘Review of Efficiency in the Schools System’ published in 2013 found that too many schools
continue to purchase products and services individually. They have failed to realise potential economies of
scale which might have been achieved by collaborating with other schools by using a consortium or group
buying approach. Where competition was sought, contracts were often awarded to suppliers purely on the
basis of the lowest prices. This focus on price often created problems with the quality of product and service
that were supplied. For example, in the case of catering, pupils could have been offered food with little
nutritional value or a limited range of healthy options. By contrast, in other categories of procurement, such
as in the supply of energy and insurance of personnel and buildings, very little competition was evident.
A survey of prices for routine items (such as stationery) showed how they varied hugely by supplier,
depending on the supplier selected. The report also highlighted a sample of 23 schools, all based within a 15
mile radius of each other, with a combined spend on purchased goods and services of approximately £5m per
year.
The following issues were identified:

• 1,828 different suppliers were used
• The annual spend with 1,524 of these suppliers was less than £500 each
• The schools in the sample were using the same suppliers, but on varying terms and conditions
• Schools were also paying different amounts for the same goods and services.
Question One
Describe FIVE sequential stages of a typical tendering process that could be adopted by a new buying
consortium for schools.
[25 marks]
LO: 1
AC: 1.1
(Q2) GFATM
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) is an international organisation that aims to
attract and distribute resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The organisation
has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It is financed by government grants and public donations.
GFATM intends to develop its sourcing and procurement activities. It has recently carried out a review to
2
explore how efficiency could be improved, to develop increased commercial expertise in its field staff, and
therefore achieve greater transparency on costs and payments.
A new sourcing process was established to organise the structured purchase of mosquito nets, shifting the
power from seller to buyer. The process focused on reducing the market dominance of individual
manufacturers and mosquito net suppliers. There would be a strong focus by GFATM on local production and
suppliers using this new approach. Long-term contracts resulting from the new sourcing process would
improve visibility, production, capacity planning and pricing.
Another aim of the sourcing exercise was to generate overall value by ordering more nets of a standard size
and simplifying manufacturing processes to cut costs. Previously the number of mosquito net specifications
was very wide. Through standardisation and reduced prices, a third more nets could be bought within the
same budget. By using large-scale purchasing power, the new process would provide better value for money,
providing savings and the reduction of supply chain bottlenecks and shortages.
Question Two
Explain FIVE ways in which supplier selection may add value in the sourcing process for organisations such as
GFATM.
[25 marks]
LO: 2
AC: 2.1
(Q3) Insta Foods

Insta Foods purchased new machinery for a new packing line and used it for 3 years. During this period the
machine required specialised repairs and part replacement in year two and three. Insta Foods now need to
upgrade the packaging operation to fulfil its production schedule.
Insta Foods have prepared the following table of costs associated with the new machine. The table shows
generic headings which cover a range of costs. Not all of the costs of the new machine are included but these
are the main areas of costs that the organisation believes it must consider.
Item Description of Costs Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

1 Tender and contracting for new packing machine costs $40,000
2 Purchase cost of machinery $20,000,000
3 Installation and delivery cost of packing machine $170,000
4 Annual raw material costs consumed by machine $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,200,000
5 Machines annual energy and fuel costs $250,000 $280,000 $290,000
6 Annual maintenance costs for packing machine $100,000 $100,000 $100,000
7 Residual value and disposal costs $500,000
Question Three
3
Analyse FIVE of the seven costs shown in the table. Provide a categorisation for each of the FIVE costs
selected and provide examples of actual detailed expenditure that would be in each of the chosen FIVE
categories.
[25 marks]
LO: 3
AC: 3.1
(Q4) Infinity Inc.

Infinity Inc. is a global technology company and produces TV sets, cell phones, computers, and tablets. In just
12 years after being founded, Infinity has become one of the world’s most valuable technology company and
its products are in high demand across the globe.
In recent times the dynamics of consumer electronics manufacturing has changed, and the majority of
manufacturers are now based in China. Infinity has adopted a similar approach and sources parts for all its
products from multiple suppliers based in China and South-East Asia. Technica China holds the long-term
contract for assembling all Infinity products and is responsible for liaising with other parts manufacturers.
It is widely accepted that the primary reason behind Infinity’s high-profit margin is its supply chain which uses
a 3-pronged approach to keep costs under control: reduce inventory, cut down on high warehouses costs and
promote competition between the suppliers.
While the extent of Infinity’s supplier base has enabled it to drive down costs, it has been constantly criticised
for the conduct of its suppliers including very poor compliance with ethics guidelines.
The other concerns which have come to light include the HR manager of Technica, hiring staff through a
company owned by his son-in-law.
Infinity is aware of the CIPS code of ethics and other organisations who encourage improved conditions and
practices such as the ILO (International Labour Organisation) but have not yet addressed them.
Question Four
Explain FIVE areas which would be addressed by a code of ethics produced by organisations such as CIPS.
[25 marks]
LO: 4
AC: 4.1

L4M8 Sample Questions FV

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

L4M8 Sample Questions FV

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

L4M8 Sample Questions FV

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CIPS Level 4 – Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Procurement and Supply in

Leading global excellence in procurement and supply

The following issues were identified:

(Q3) Insta Foods

Item Description of Costs Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

(Q4) Infinity Inc.

You might also like