Procurement guide for suppliers and contractors

Rules and regulations we must comply with

Contracts Procedure Rules

South Ribble Borough Council has its own internal Contracts Procedure Rules which regulate all procurement and determines the processes that must be followed according to the contract value.

Additionally, contracts above the relevant threshold are subject to the Public Contracts Regulations. With effect from 1 January 2022 the Regulations thresholds are shown inclusive of VAT.

A summary of the thresholds and procedures is included in the table below.

The council may also access and call-off contracts from public sector framework agreements which have already been through a compliant procurement process.

Value	Requirement
Below £10,000 excl. VAT £10,000 to £25,000 excl. VAT	Written, verbal or electronic quotes. Minimum 3 quotations, electronic or through The Chest or reasons for not doing so recorded
£25,000 to £100,000 excl. VAT	Minimum of 3 formal quotes through The Chest. Where above £25,000 and openly advertised the opportunity will also be advertised on Contracts Finder
£100,000 +	Open Advertisement on The Chest and Contracts Finder - Formal Tenders
Services and Supplies: £213,477 incl. VAT	Contract subject to the Public Contracts Regulations
Works: £5,336,937 incl. VAT	Contract subject to the Public Contracts Regulations
Light Touch Regime Services: £663,540 incl. VAT	Contract subject to the Public Contracts Regulations
Concessions: £5,336,937 incl. VAT	Contract subject to the Public Contracts Regulations

How to find out about our contracts

Method	Information
The Chest	South Ribble Borough Council has implemented the regional e-procurement portal "The Chest". The Chest has been developed for use by councils registered to use the system across the North West and brings together buyers and suppliers on to a single regional website, making it easier for businesses to find out about procurement opportunities and to grow and develop to the benefit of the local economy. The Chest provides for tenders and quotations to be advertised/invited, received, completed and submitted electronically, providing efficiencies for both buyers and suppliers. Additionally suppliers may register to receive e-alerts for new procurement opportunities that they may be interested in. Supplier registration and use of The Chest is free of charge. View South Ribble Borough Council and other procurement opportunities on The Chest.
Contracts Finder	Contracts Finder is the National Procurement Portal specifically referred to in the 2015 Public Procurement Regulations on which all local government opportunities which are openly advertised and above £25,000, must be advertised. (£10,000 for Central Government)
Find a Tender	From 1 January 2021 a new e-notification service called Find a Tender will be used to advertise procurement opportunities above the relevant public procurement thresholds and subject to the Public Contracts Regulations

Method

Information

The Chest

South Ribble Borough Council has implemented the regional e-procurement portal "The Chest".

The Chest has been developed for use by councils registered to use the system across the North West and brings together buyers and suppliers on to a single regional website, making it easier for businesses to find out about procurement opportunities and to grow and develop to the benefit of the local economy.

The Chest provides for tenders and quotations to be advertised/invited, received, completed and submitted electronically, providing efficiencies for both buyers and suppliers. Additionally suppliers may register to receive e-alerts for new procurement opportunities that they may be interested in.

Supplier registration and use of The Chest is free of charge.

View South Ribble Borough Council and other procurement opportunities on The Chest.

Contracts Finder

Contracts Finder is the National Procurement Portal specifically referred to in the 2015 Public Procurement Regulations on which all local government opportunities which are openly advertised and above £25,000, must be advertised. (£10,000 for Central Government)

Find a Tender

From 1 January 2021 a new e-notification service called Find a Tender will be used to advertise procurement opportunities above the relevant public procurement thresholds and subject to the Public Contracts Regulations