Purchasing Process

The purpose of the Procurement Procedure Rules is to ensure that competition and propriety are present in the tendering and awarding of all contracts for the procurement of supplies, services and the execution of works.

The Procurement Procedure Rules cover the thresholds and level of authority and the procedures for enabling competition and regulating the manner in which quotations and tenders are invited, evaluated and awarded.

The values relating to contracts are as detailed below (the value of the EU Directives are reviewed every two years, therefore an update will be displayed on our Website in the January of the year following the review).

Read our Procurement Procedure Rules

Quotations

Procurement estimated to be below £5,000 - officers will use their professional judgement in seeking quotations for the proposed procurement of supplies, services or the execution of works.

Procurement estimated above £5,000 but below £50,000 - a minimum of three written quotations are to be obtained from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers able to supply the materials/services or undertake the work required.

Tenders

Procurement estimated above £50,000 but below EU threshold - formal tendering and contractual procedures will apply. A minimum of three written tenders are required to be obtained from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers able to supply the materials/services or undertake the work required. The Council may wish to invite all experienced suppliers to tender although we may alternatively invite Expressions of Interest to compile a short list.

Current Thresholds (Local Authority)

The current thresholds in Contract Procedure Rules are: