Tenders

Tender Policies

When considering tenders, we will take the following areas into account:

Race Relations and Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to promoting equality for all irrespective of sex, age, race or disability. We are keen to ensure our suppliers abide by the law and are working to best practice in this area.

Any organisation working with us must provide an effective, fair service without unlawful discrimination. If your company has an equal opportunities, policy please include a copy in your tender.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Under Section 149 (2) of the Equality Act 2010, “A person who is not a public authority but who exercises public functions must, in the exercise of those functions, have due regard to [the Public Sector Equality Duty as laid out in Section 149 (1)]”.

(1) A public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to - 
(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act;
(b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;
(c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
(2) A person who is not a public authority but who exercises public functions must, in the exercise of those functions, have due regard to the matters mentioned in subsection (1).

Environmental Policies

We are committed to protecting the environment and aim to:

• Specify less environmentally damaging products.
• Promote greater use of renewable sources.
• Encourage suppliers to use environmentally friendly practices during production.

You may need to provide evidence of your environmental practices and procedures. If you have an Environmental Policy, please provide it with your tender.

Insurance Requirements

Third party providers must have the following minimum level of insurance

Public liability insurance £5 million
Employers liability £10 million
Professional indemnity £2 million

Health and Safety

We are committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our employees and anyone affected by our work. Contracts will only be awarded to companies meeting our health and safety requirements.

We will ask to see your Health & Safety Policy or we may ask you to complete a Health & Safety questionnaire, although we are aware smaller companies (employing Less than 5 staff) may not have one.

You should demonstrate:

• A commitment to the health and safety of your employees, clients and others.
• Up to date health and safety policies and procedures.
• Adequate risk assessment procedures.
• An adequate system of monitoring and reporting accidents, incidents and ill-health.
• Access to competent health and safety advice.
• Monitoring to ensure compliance with contract standards and health and safety requirements.

The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS)

About CHAS

CHAS is established as a market leader for health and safety pre-qualification in the UK. It is a non-commercial scheme available to suppliers (those who provide goods and services) and to organisations (buyers), including Solihull MBC, looking for suitably competent suppliers.
For more information, go to: http://www.chas.gov.uk/ 

Suppliers and CHAS

CHAS isn’t just for construction companies, it assesses health and safety for all types of suppliers, from care services to demolition contractors, designers and consultants. The aim of the scheme is to save time and resources by avoiding unnecessary duplication in the first stage of competence assessment.
If you want to talk to Solihull MBC about getting help with the accreditation process, contact:  Steve Dean on 0121 704 6829 or stdean@solihull.gov.uk

Buyers and CHAS

Membership includes the public sectors: health trusts, emergency services and government departments and large private companies who have a supply chain, for example Royal Mail Group, Kier and Mitie Group. Ultimately CHAS completes the initial H&S application process for buyers, saving time and resources for all involved in the process.

Professional Matters

You may be asked about criminal offences relating to the professional conduct of your business, legal proceedings taken against you by another Local Authority, and any potential conflicts of interest.

Contact Details

For more information on Contracts please contact the Corporate Procurement Service

Telephone: 0121 704 6089

Email: procurementteam@solihull.gov.uk