Overview
Our overall procurement objective is to deliver consistent, quality, and cost-effective services for Westminster. As a leading local authority in England, Westminster aims to be one of the most innovative, accessible, and engaging contracting authorities for suppliers while safeguarding the interests of residents.
Different types of tendering
There are several different types of procurement processes available to the council, and the most suitable route is decided based on value and complexity. We run tenders for all contracts over £25,000. For those contracts between £25,000 and £100,000, we will often use a streamlined request for quote procedure (RFQ). This tender process is simplified to encourage SMEs and Local Businesses to bid.
For those contracts valued above £100,000 we would normally use one of the following routes to market:
- Open procedure - this involves advertising the opportunity, and any supplier who meets the tender requirements can bid.
- Competitive Flexible procedure – This is a longer process that often includes a pre-qualification stage to allow us to shortlist a smaller number of bidders
- Restricted tendering is a longer process that includes a pre-qualification stage, which allows us to shortlist a smaller number of bidders.
- Frameworks/Dynamic Market Place - These are public sector frameworks and DMPs, which include a list of pre-qualified suppliers from whom we will invite tenders.
All procurement activity will be advertised on the tendering portal (maintain link to Jaggaer) and the Government Digital Platform
No PO, No Pay
We operate a “No Purchase Order (PO), No Pay” policy. This means that a PO must be raised by our officers before goods and services are received. Only after the PO is approved, will a PO number be issued to the supplier when an invoice can be raised.
This allows us to better safeguard public money and strengthens financial controls and compliance. If you are an existing supplier and have any questions regarding this policy, please reach out to your contract manager or commissioner for further information.
Payments
If you are a supplier, you need to register for our Supplier Self-Service in order to check the status of your invoices, purchase orders and payments. You can also upload invoices, raise enquiries and change your business details using this self-service system.
Payments made to suppliers are managed through the Integrated Business Centre (IBC) hosted by Hampshire County Council. To ensure you are paid promptly, please t check the information in your invoice is consistent with the Purchase Order and that it includes the required information. Please do not send an invoice without a Purchase Order Number as all invoices without a valid and correct PO number will be rejected and returned.
Community Right to Challenge
The Community Right to Challenge is a provision introduced in the Localism Act 2012. It allows local community organisations to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to run a local authority's services.
Standard terms and conditions
