Tender Processes
A tender process is required for all contracts that exceed a
value of £75,000. There are three different tender process
options available to the Council. A Procurement and
Tendering Process
flowchart is also available which can be used alongside Chapter 12
of the Code of Practice.
Restricted tender process
Companies who respond to advertisements expressing an interest
in tendering are required to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire
(PQQ) (pdf 367kb) to show that they have sufficient
experience and resources to meet the needs of the Council.
Only organisations that are subsequently short-listed and invited
may submit a tender.
Open tender process
All companies who request the tender documentation will be
invited to submit a tender. There is no PQQ and short-listing
stage prior to the invitation to tender. Instead, the
information is requested as part of the tender. This process
would normally only be used where the known market place is limited
and the Council needs to seek out extra interest or where the
timetable does not allow the two stage restricted process to be
followed.
Negotiated tender process
This is similar to the restricted process in using a
pre-qualification stage. However, this process allows the
Council to negotiate the terms of the contract within strict
guidelines, prior to awarding the contract. This process is
only used in exceptional circumstances, e.g. where the company is
the sole source of supply, in cases of extreme urgency or where the
precise specification can only be determined by negotiation (such
as the provision of intellectual services).