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Supplying the Office of Rail Regulation
We have obligations to be economic and efficient in our operations, and as such we need to ensure that when buying goods and services and entering into contracts we obtain value for money.
We also need to ensure that we follow best practice, Cabinet Office (ERG) guidelines and EU rules with regard to competition, non-discrimination, transparency and proportionality.
On this page
- Minimum level of competition
- Use of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- Achieving greater transparency of public sector procurement and contracting
- Our online e-Tendering system
- Contacts
Minimum level of competition
To ensure that we get value for money we need to have our requirements open to the appropriate level of competition. The level of competition depends on the value of spend, which as a minimum must be:
| Value of expenditure | Minimum level of competition |
|---|---|
| Up to £500 | Minimum a single verbal quote (e-mail, catalogue price, record of ‘phone conversation etc) |
| £501 - £5,000 | Minimum 3 verbal quotes (e-mail, catalogue price, record of ‘phone conversation etc) |
| £5,001 - £10,000 | Minimum 3 written quotes. Process managed by Procurement |
| £10,001 - £173,350* | Formal competitive tender undertaken by Procurement – normally 5 written quotes |
| £173,350*+ | Formal EU tender procedure |
* The threshold for EU Tender procedures is £173,350, but it is our policy that where the estimated value of a tender falls within 10% of the EU threshold then the relevant EU procedure should be followed.
This is to make sure that we do not find ourselves in a position where we have not followed the relevant EU procedure and the majority of bids have been priced above the threshold.
Use of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
The Government's policy on creating opportunities for SMEs and third sector organisations is to encourage and support these organisations to compete for public sector contracts where this is consistent with value for money policy and the UK regulations, EU Procurement Directives and our obligations under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
All open tenders which could appeal to SMEs will be flagged as such and if they are above £10,000 they will be electronically advertised. We will use Contracts Finder to advertise suitable contracts.
Achieving greater transparency of public sector procurement and contracting
The Government has set out the need for greater transparency in public expenditure.
As part of the transparency agenda, the Government has made the following commitments with regard to procurement and contracting:
- All new central government tender documents for contracts over £10,000 to be published on a single website, with this information to be made available to the public free of charge.
- All new central government contracts to be published in full.
- New items of central government spending over £25,000 to published online.
Suppliers and those organisations looking to bid for public sector contracts should be aware that if they are awarded a new government contract, the resulting contract between the supplier and government will be published.
In some circumstances, limited redactions will be made to some contracts before they are published in order to comply with existing law and for the protection of national security.
Our online e-Tendering system
This system allows us to publish notices, pre-qualification questionnaires and invitations to tender online, and allows potential suppliers to submit any queries and their responses electronically.
As well as a list of 'open' tenders being run by us, the e-Tendering site also gives access to tender opportunities from other public bodies and there is no need to pre-register to view these.
How do I register my company as a potential ORR supplier?
Follow the link to our e-Tender supplier website and complete the registration form. It is important you read and understand the user agreement before completing the registration form.
Please note: if you are currently registered with BravoSolution that registration only applies to the 'entity' you are registered to supply. You need to complete a separate registration for each 'entity' you wish to supply.
If you are registered with BuyingSolutions as a framework supplier then please use the same contact details.
Please note you will not be charged for using the system, as there is no registration, subscription or licence fee.
What happens next?
Once your registration is complete, you will have access to 'open invitation' ORR tenders, and we may also invite you to participate in other selected tenders as a supplier.
Please be aware that once you have registered with this system, the system will not automatically alert you of any new opportunities, so be sure to visit the site regularly to see if any new opportunities have been advertised.
Who should I contact if I run into problems?
BravoSolution are providing our e-Tendering service. If you have any problems with the registration process or using this service, please call BravoSolution on 0800 011 2470 or email help@bravosolution.co.uk.
Contacts
If you wish to contact us about supplying to us please feel free to contact the procurement team on 020 7282 2124 or email Finance and Procurement.
Last updated: September 2012