Procurement & Contracts Policy

How the Council buys goods and services

The Council has a Procurement Strategy and Contract Standing Orders and Financial Procedure Rules (PDF 273kb) which enforce the procedures for buying goods and services.

 

The purpose of Thanet District Council's Procurement Strategy 2006-2009 (currently being updated) is to promote effective procurement across the whole organisation.  It has been divided into two separate documents; the Procurement Strategy and the TDC Procurement Code of Practice.

 

The Council must ensure that the money it receives from general tax payers and council tax payers is used as carefully as possible and that it achieves the best value for money. A significant proportion of the Council’s spending is, therefore, under contracts which have been subject to reasonable competition.

 

The Council is a member of the Kent Buying Consortium and when appropriate, joins with other authorities in Kent to undertake joint contracting. The Council also makes use of contracts awarded by other bodies on behalf of public authorities, such as the Central Buying Consortium, the Office of Government Commerce Buying Solutions, Kent Commercial Services and Laser.

 

The following thresholds apply to requirements for the external supply of goods, services or works:

 

£1,000 to £9,999

At least one quote in advance.  Best efforts to secure probity and value for money should be made.

£10,000 to £74,999 At least three written quotes in advance using procedures as prescribed in the Council's Contract Standing Orders.
 £75,000+ Full tendering exercise, following advertisement by public notice, to be carried out as prescribed in the Council's Contract Standing Orders.
From 01.01.10 Over £156,442 for goods or services; or Over £3,927,260 for works

Formal tendering in line with Regulations implementing EU legislation

 

For building and construction contracts, the Council will accept accreditation to Constructionline or equivalent accreditation services as part of our pre-qualification of suppliers.  This is not used exclusively however suppliers who do not hold accreditation will be expected to complete and submit a comprehensive PQQ to establish that they meet the Council's minimum standards in respect of operational, technical and financial criteria necessary for the satisfactory performance of the contract.  If you wish to apply for accreditation to Constructionline you can either, telephone 0870 240 0152 or download an application form from  http://www.constructionline.co.uk/static

 

See Doing Business with Thanet District Council

Procurement

 

E-mail: contracts@thanet.gov.uk


Tel: 01843 577111