We began our conversation with Olena Kucheruk, Manager of the Procurement Department at Kyivteploenergo, with the assumption that in the context of war and Russia’s constant targeted shelling of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the most important thing is the prompt supply of goods and services necessary to repair the damage and restore energy services.
Now is the war, so, for example, fuel or oil for emergency repair vehicles, spare parts for equipment damaged by shelling, or even ordinary glass to glaze windows broken at heating plants are urgently needed.
Olena notes that, despite the understandable desire to provide Kyiv’s energy facilities with the required materials as soon as possible and to meet the needs of emergency crews to restore the supply of heat and hot water, each buyer’s primary guide is the legal requirements.
“Without a doubt, delivery terms are essential, but there are no less important requirements regarding the quality and transparency of purchases. In martial law conditions, the Government of Ukraine simplified procurement procedures and shortened the terms of tenders. Still, competition, efficiency, and transparency as the main principles of procurement activity, as well as responsibility for the result, were not canceled by anyone,” Olena emphasizes.Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine has destroyed most of the supply chains for goods and services. The enemy’s targeted attacks on energy facilities, hits, damage, and lack of time to look for the necessary equipment make a thorough understanding of the market a prerequisite for successful procurements.
Ukrainian legislation defines the legal and economic basis for procuring goods, works, and services and terms of procurement. By the Law of Ukraine “On Public Procurement,” procurement is carried out on the official Prozorro site. In the conditions of martial law, decisions are made by an authorized person. Olena Kucheruk performs this role at KP “Kyivteploenergo.” A 32-year-old procurement manager with eight years of work experience carefully monitors all procurement processes, independent of what she procures, such as complex energy equipment or stationery for the office.
As soon as the procurement manager receives an order from the utility’s departments, she should check the documentation and its compliance with the procurement law, check the technical conditions for non-discrimination against all bidders, publish the procedures, review the received bids in detail and evaluate them for compliance with the terms of the announced tender. This work also involves close cooperation with the regulatory authorities.
When asked if the young woman likes what she does, Olena nods affirmatively. She adds that mistakes can be costly: an authorized person who violates procurement deadlines is personally liable in the form of an administrative protocol and fines.
Kucheruk is a financial economist by profession and a graduate of the National Aviation University. She has been in the workplace since the first days of the full-scale invasion. She likes to read, travel, and cook in her free time. When asked who is responsible for purchases at home, Olena smiles: “I know this market perfectly as well, so I’m in charge of describing what I need. But the delivery is the responsibility of other family members. Responsible procurement combines price, quality, and timeliness here and at work.”