Part 4 - Contract Standing Orders

9. Competition Requirements

Goods and / or Services and Works

9.1       All contracts for goods and / or services and all contracts for works that have a total value or estimated total value equal to or in excess of the relevant EU threshold shall be tendered in accordance with European procurement law and the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2006 or such other replacement or amending legislation as may from time to time apply.

9.2       All contracts for goods and / or services and all contracts for works that have a total value or estimated total value of less than the relevant EU threshold shall be tendered in accordance with the provisions of these Contract Standing Orders.

9.3       Contracts for goods and or services that have a total value or estimated total value:

1. up to £15,000 may be procured after obtaining a single written quotation which must be obtained against a written request for a quotation.
2. between £15,001 and £75,000 may be procured after obtaining three written quotations which must be obtained using the Council’s e-procurement system.
3. between £75,001 and up to EU threshold may be procured after having undertaken a tendering process using the Council’s e-procurement system.
4. over EU threshold must be procured after having undertaken a tendering process using the Council’s e-procurement system.

9.4       Contracts for works that have a total value or estimated total value of:

1. up to £250,000 may be procured after obtaining three written quotations which must be obtained using the council’s e-procurement system.
2. between £250,001 and up to the relevant EU threshold may be procured after having undertaken a tendering process using the council’s e-procurement system.
3. over EU threshold must be procured after having undertaken a tendering process using the Council’s e-procurement system.

9.5       Contract extensions may only be considered if there is a legal right to extend the contract and must follow the Council’s governance process for approval.

9.6       A Direct Award (DA) should only be considered as a last resort when all other procurement strategies have been excluded and only in accordance with EU legislation under the following circumstances:

1. where it is determined through market analysis/engagement that the services are only capable of being provided by one particular provider; or
2. where there is an urgent need; or
3. in limited cases, to protect intellectual property rights that the provider holds

For all direct awards over £75,001 the process detailed in the guidance from the Assistant Director of Strategic Procurement must be followed.