Policy
We buy services, goods and works by competition whenever possible, in line with UK government policy and the relevant legal requirements. Our aim is to achieve value for money. This means considering the optimum combination of quality and whole life cost to meet the needs of the user.
For low value procurements we invite written quotations from a number of suppliers. For larger procurements, we invite formal tenders.
The following procurement procedures are normally applied:
| Estimated Contract Value | Tender Action Required |
| Up to £2,000 | Normally a single oral quote |
| £2,001to £5,000* | Normally a minimum of three oral quotes** |
| £5,001 to £50,000 | Normally a minimum of three written quotes based on a clear written specification of requirements and the Departments Conditions of Contract |
| £50,001 up to EU threshold | Normally a minimum of five formal competitive tenders based on written specification and the Departments conditions of contract |
| EU threshold and above | Normally invite a minimum of five competitive tenders, depending on the EU procedure adopted, based on written specification and the Department’s conditions of contract |
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Where the estimated contract value exceeds limits set by the EU, we must follow the EU public procurement regulations. These can be found at http://www.dft.g2b.info/public/eu_advertised_contracts.htm.