Contents
Tenders
Tender or Quote
The information in these pages is designed to help you to apply for our contracts.
We spend in excess of £150 million a year with third parties, giving companies of all sizes a wide range of commercial opportunities.
As there is a great deal of competition, this guide cannot assure success for everyone. However, it should provide you with the information you need to apply with confidence.
Current Opportunities
All current opportunities are listed here. If there are none listed it means that there are no current opportunities.
For contracts under £50,000, suppliers can be asked to provide a quote. We must ask at least three companies to quote and enough to ensure genuine competition.
For contracts over £50,000, where EU procurement directives do not apply, at least three contractors (who have expressed an interest) must be invited to tender. Again, we must ensure we invite enough to ensure genuine competition.
For construction related works contracts under £3,611,319, we will select contractors from Constructionline. For further information, see Corporate Contracts.
There is generally no charge for obtaining a tender pack or returning your submission.
Tenders are currently received by post If we use an electronic tender, we will ensure no suppliers will be disadvantaged by it. Details will be provided in our invitation to tender.
For useful information and tips, when applying for a contract, see: Tenders - tips and information
There are two main types of tenders:
Open Tender
All suppliers responding to an Open Tender are given the tender documents to complete and return. There is no opportunity to shortlist supplies using this approachYou will be asked to submit an expression of interest for the contract, however you will receive the tender documentation at the same time. The expression of interest will be considered at the same time as your bid.
Restricted Tender
This is a two stage approach where we invite interested suppliers to express an interest in the contract. We will send you a pre-qualification assessment and, if you meet the criteria, you will receive the tender documents.
This method can be useful where large amounts of responses are expected, for non-standard items or high value tenders.
Applications from Social Enterprises
We are committed to fairness and open competition when letting contracts and recognise that many different organisations and groups can provide quality goods and services. These may include Small or Medium sized enterprises (SMEs), Black, Minority and Ethnic (BME) businesses, voluntary and community organisations.
We recognise Social Enterprises as one such type of organisation that can contribute to our wider objectives. These are companies whose profits are re-invested in the company or the community (not for profit), rather than aiming for maximum profits for shareholders and owners.
Tender Opening, Evaluation and Feedback
Opening and Witnessing
Tenders will be opened after the deadline has passed. Occasionally, the tender deadline may need to be extended, if this happens we will let you know.
Tenders under £250,000 will be witnessed by another Council officer. This will be someone not involved in the tender process. For tenders over £250,000, it will be opened by a Councillor and witnessed by a Council Officer.
Electronic tenders will be automatically opened when the closing date and time is reached.
Evaluation
Some tenders are selected by price, although normally we consider quality and timescales too. We generally select the 'most economically advantageous tender' - the best tender in terms of 'price' and 'non-price' items.
We normally let you know how important price is in relation to other factors.
Feedback
You will write to you, to let you know if your bid was successful or not.
We may ask you to provide a presentation or invite your for an informal decision to help us decide. Every contract is different, but generally more complex contracts, with greater risk, will see more post-tender work.
We will ensure that for the contracts let in accordance with the EU Procurement Directives that the procedures in relation to the "stand still" period will be compiled with.
You are entitled to ask us for feedback. We will provide frank and helpful information.
However, we can withhold information which is commercially sensitive or contrary to public interest. We will act in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.
Anchor Point:contactContact Details
For more information on Contracts please contact the Corporate Procurement Service
Telephone: 0121 704 6089
Email: procurementteam@solihull.gov.uk