How we buy

Officers purchasing supplies, works or services will make sure that best practice is applied and take reasonable steps to ensure best value is obtained. They will follow the Contract Procedure Rules and ensure that the Procurement Code of Conduct is complied with.

Threshold Total contract value Who leads Summary of process
Low value Up to £999.99 Service area Minimum of one written or verbal quote OR use a P-Card for payment. Where possible this quote should be with a local supplier. For requisitions of Business World, no attachments are required at this level.
Minor £1,000 to £9,999 Service area

Minimum of one written quotation that demonstrates best value, where possible with a local supplier.

This quote should be uploaded as evidence onto Business World with the requisition
Medium £10,000 to £24,999 Service area Minimum of three written quotations plus evidence of best value where possible two from local suppliers. Attach all three quotes to requisition on Business World.
Major (a) £25,000 to £74,999 Procurement Approach Procurement Team in advance. Opportunity must be advertised on Contracts Finder website and contract awarded with spend justification. Contract details included on Business World Requisition.
Major (b) £75,000 to relevant FTS limit Procurement

Approach Procurement Team. Spend should already be on the Annual Procurement Plan.

Opportunity must be advertised as a full tender on Contracts Finder website and E-portal contract awarded with spend justification.

'DN' Contract number or Contact details to be included on all Business World requisitions.
FTS (Find a Tender Service) FTS limit and above Procurement

Approach Procurement Team. Spend should already be on the Annual Procurement Plan.

Opportunity must be advertised in the FTS, Contracts Finder and the E-Portal following specific regulations. Opportunity must be advertised in the FTS, Contracts Finder and the E-portal specific regulations

Quote 'DN' Contract number or Contact Details on Business World Requisitions.

Opportunities must be advertised in FTS and other public sector contracting authorities.

New thresholds from 1st January 2022 are:

Spend area Threshold (£) What would it be if 20% VAT rate applied
Supplies/services £213,477 (inc VAT) £177,897
Works £5,336,937 (inc VAT) £4,447,447
Light touch £663,540 (inc VAT) £552,950

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Telephone: 01702 215000

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