The Procurement Unit provide an advisory role within the council. They offer departments support and guidance on how they should procure goods, services and works in compliance with both the Procurement Contract Regulations and our Accounting Manual, whilst trying to obtain best value for the public purse.
The council procures a wide range of goods, services and works.
Examples valued over £30,000 include:
Examples valued under £30,000 include:
The council’s current procurement thresholds are as follows:
| Estimated Cost | Minimum number of invitations to quote |
|---|---|
| £3,000 and under | VFM Process (obtain 2-3 quotes) |
| £3,001 to £10,000 | Seek quotations from 3 companies as a minimum |
| £10,001 to £30,000 | Seek quotations from 4 companies as a minimum |
| over £30,000 to Regulated Threshold | Public Open procurement via eTendersNI Portal or through a framework |
| over Regulated Threshold | Public Open procurement (via eTendersNI & FTS or through a framework) |
As a public body we must follow procurement legislation. The most recent piece of legislation is the Procurement Act 2023 that will become law on Monday 24 February 2025.
This means suppliers wishing to search and apply for above threshold contracts in the UK’s public and utilities sectors must register on The Central Digital Platform (CDP).
Above threshold procurements let by the council are those requirements above the value of £214,904.00, including VAT.
To assist you in your own preparation for the new legislation, the Cabinet Office has provided the following guidance: