CESA’s online dialogues have received a lot of support from viewers who have realized their valuer based on the calibre of speakers and their industry knowledge. Two dialogues were held recently with the aim of providing more information to member companies.

CESA Management System Declarations (MSDs) dialogues

The CESA Management System Declarations (MSDs) dialogue was hosted on 17 February. It did not disappoint those who tuned in to listen to the experts discuss the Declarations, which are sent to members once per annum together with the Annual Declarations, and the members are obliged to complete and return to CESA. The welcoming and opening remarks were provided by CESA contractual affairs manager Wally Mayne who welcomed attendees and introduced the speakers. 

Presenting an overview of the CESA Management System was Charl Cilliers from Jones and Wagener, and Diane Liebenberg from DCX7 Consulting presented on Quality Management System Declaration (QMS MSD). The presentation on FIDIC Integrity Management System Declaration (FIMS MSD) was presented by Philip Booyens from SCIP Engineering Group. Sonja De Klerk from Zutari presented Project Sustainability Management System Declaration (PSM MSD).

On receipt of the declaration, CESA will issue a Notice of Assessment of the level of development of the relevant management system. Thereafter, CESA conducts verification reviews on randomly selected firms and based on the outcome of the review, issues a Confirmation of Assessment.

CESA Procurement of Consulting Engineering Services (PCES) Dialogue

The CESA Procurement of Consulting Engineering Services (PCES) Dialogue took place on Thursday, 30 March, and featured experienced speakers. The dialogue launched the update of the PCES Manual, which provides guidance to both public and private sector clients on best practices in the procurement of consulting engineering services. This third edition of the PCES Manual has been extensively revised and incorporates the gate approval process from National Treasury’s Framework for Infrastructure Development and Procurement Management (FIDPM). An overview will be provided of the pro-forma RFP document, which is included in the manual.

The dialogue was jointly presented by the authors Craig Clarke, Dave Clark and Francis Gibbons, who are active members of the CESA Supply Chain Committee. The various topics covered in the dialogue included:

• The Consulting Engineer’s role in the Infrastructure Life Cycle
• The Constitution and Legal Environment
• Procurement Practice in SA
• Procurement of Professional Services following FIDPM
• Preparing the Procurement Document 
• Evaluation of tenders and Risk Assessment
• Administering professional services contracts
• A brief overview of the Pro-forma RFP document

CESA Diaogue recordings are posted on CE-tv, Consulting Engineers South Africa’s official YouTube channel.