Procurement process

A transparent process

The below process is amended to suit the type of procurement and may be reduced for low-value requirements. As a minimum, bidders shall be provided with a specification and requested to provide a financial quotation.

Summary of the process

  • Working with internal stakeholders to define the requirement
  • Market testing 
  • Preparing advertisements, invitations to tender and evaluation criteria
  • Placing advertisements 
  • Receiving expressions of interest 
  • Selecting potential suppliers 
  • Despatching invitation-to-tender documents 
  • Opening tender responses at a specified date and time 
  • Evaluating tenders according to the process outlined in the tender 
  • Agreeing rankings 
  • Visiting and/or interviewing suppliers 
  • Making the final selection 
  • Awarding contracts and notifying bidders 
  • Debriefing unsuccessful tenderers on request.

Tender evaluation

We undertake either a price-only or value-for-money assessment to identify the supplier who will provide the best solution.

  • A price-only assessment is usually used for low-priced, uncomplicated tenders based on tight input specification and is evaluated solely on price.
  • A value-for-money assessment (detailed as Most Economically Advantageous Tender in EC Procurement Regulations) is based upon a balanced review of quality and price.
  • A financial assessment of all bidders is undertaken on all tenders, where appropriate.

Our tender evaluation is strictly controlled and conducted objectively and impartially. The criteria types, groups and weightings will vary depending on the circumstances and bidders are informed of these in tender documents.

During this process we may ask shortlisted bidders to provide samples and/or demonstrate their products or services.