How we procure housing related work

We use a range of procurement methods, as set out in the Council's constitution dependant upon the likely value of the contract. These methods apply to all types of work from gas servicing and repairs to major modernisation and improvement projects.

For much of the work we do, appropriate contractors who respond to a public notice would be invited to submit a tender. Alternatively, suitable contractors are selected from Constructionline, the government's register of pre-qualified construction suppliers or any similar organisations.

" For general information on selling or providing services to the Council please click here or visit our suppliers charter."

A summary of the main procurement methods are as follows:

1. General building/repair schemes and building services schemes up to £15,000.
An order for the work will be placed with a suitable contractor.

2. General building projects and services between £15,000 and £40,000.
We would seek quotations from at least three suitable firms. The firms will initially be asked whether they are interested in submitting a quotation.

3. General building projects and building services projects between £40,000 and £160,000.
We would obtain not less than three tenders from suitable firms in a formal tendering exercise. Firms would be drawn from Constructionline or similar organisations and/or from firms who respond to a public notice in a national trade journal and the local paper.

Firms will initially be asked to indicate whether they are interested in submitting a formal tender bid and if so, will then be requested to provide up to date financial trading accounts, trade references, public and employers liability insurance, and information about their management of H&S, equal opportunities and environmental protection. From the responses received the Council will select a final short list of firms to be formally invited to tender.

4. General building projects and building services projects over £3,497,313 and contracts for supplies and services over £139,893.
These schemes will be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community in accordance with European Procurement Rules. Under European Procurement Directives we are required to follow formal EU financial thresholds, timescales and advertising opportunities European wide via the Official Journal of The European Union (OJEU). OJEU is only available in electronic form, either on CD-ROM or via the Internet.

As a guide, EU Directives apply for goods and services currently valued over £139,893 and for works valued over £3,497,313 million. The current thresholds for goods, works and services can be viewed at:

• BIP Solutions

5. Use of consultants
Most construction and property-related professional services are provided by our own staff. However, we do occasionally use professional consultants.