This Methodology for Assessment of National Procurement Systems (pdf file) was released by OECD in July 2006. According to the Users Guide, its objective is to facilitate a consistent approach to the application of the indicators developed by the OECD/DAC–World Bank Round Table on Strengthening Procurement Capacities in Developing Countries. The indicators are intended to provide harmonized tools for use in the assessment of procurement systems. Although the indicators are designed for use in the assessment of the central government or national procurement system in a country, they can be adapted for use in sub national or agency level assessments. The methodology for application of the indicators has been designed to enable a country to conduct a self-assessment of its procurement system to determine strengths and weaknesses, or to help development agencies carry out joint or external
assessment of a country's procurement system. The information resulting from an assessment supports the design of harmonized capacity development and reform initiatives intended to address weaknesses associated with the procurement system. The assessment provides the country with information it can use to monitor performance.