What is Procurement?
UK Government spend approximately £300 billion annually on buying goods and services. It is a highly regulated and competitive market.
When a public organisation such as government departments, councils, NHS, police, and other public bodies buy any goods or services, the way in which these are purchased is referred to as public procurement. Examples of goods and services include digital products, training, financial services, health and social care service, construction and other categories of contracts. The process and procedures relating to the how contracts for these goods and services awarded is regulated by public procurement regulations and policies. These help to ensure purchases over certain values are conducted in a fair and transparent manner, deliver better outcomes ad best value for taxpayers
Where to find public sector contract opportunities?
There are different ways in ways in which a company may secure a contract with a public sector organisation:
- through a public tender
- by being on a Framework
- by invitation to submit a quotation – for low value purchases
Public organisation will use an e-procurement system to advertise tender opportunities including market engagement opportunities for an upcoming tender on their e-procurement portal.
Details of the portal used by the organisation along with information on procurement policies and procedures will be published on the organisations website. Take time to familiarise yourself with the organisations policies and procedures and register on the specific portals to be alerted to upcoming contract opportunities. You will be able to select areas of interest on the portal. It is worth noting that there are different e-procurement system providers working across the sector, and you may need to register on more than one e-procurement portal.
Public organisations are required to publish information about contract opportunities and awards, over certain threshold on Governments Contracts Finder portal. These thresholds are:
- £12,000 – for central government authorities
- £30,000 for sub-central authorities
The e-procurement portals used by different organisation will be expected to link to Contracts Finder to ensure compliance. However, registration on the organisations e-procurement portal and contracts finders will help to ensure your organisation is better placed to be alerted to contract opportunities. You can also make use of the information published on Contracts Finder to prepare for contracts expiring is the future.