Procurement Policy and Standards

Brochures

	Aggregation - is bigger always better (PDF, 241KB) (order code: CP0072) Designed to inform decision-making during the development of organisational procurement strategies, and during the strategic planning stage prior to a programme or project. It aims to clarify what is meant by the term "Aggregation".
	Disclosure of Budgets in the Course of Procurement  (PDF, 95KB) (Web Publication only) From completed research on whether budgets should be disclosed before or during procurement exercises and what forms of disclosure are appropriate, the views of Government procurers and academics were gathered through workshops and interviews. These views have been incorporated into this practical guide.
	Early Market Engagement: Principles and Tools of Good Practice (PDF, 737KB) (Web Publication only) This publication is for anyone involved in setting procurement policy and/or conducting procurement exercises in the public sector. It provides an introduction to a number of techniques for successful early market engagement. Illustrated with case studies, it demonstrates how a variety of public sector organisations have benefited from this activity.
	Effective Partnering - an overview for customers and suppliers (PDF, 211KB) (order code: CP0078) Summarises the key issues around considering, planning and creating a partnering relationship with an IT service provider. It covers the critical factors in creating a strong working relationship built on mutual benefit.
	Finding & Procuring Innovative Solutions (PDF, 528KB) (Web publication only) This document is for policy makers, procurers and end users within the public sector who want to seek and, where appropriate, procure innovative solutions to help meet their needs more effectively.
	Government Procurement Code of Good Practice (PDF, 114KB) (order code: CP0080) This publication sets out the core values and behaviour for all members of the central civil governments supply chain: both government organisations and their suppliers.
	Supplier Financial Appraisal Guidance (order code: CP0086) OGC's revised guidance and its Annex advocates a more flexible approach to the financial appraisals of suppliers.
	Small Supplier - Better Value (PDF, 1.81MB) (order code: CP0083) The OGC and SBS produced this booklet to outline the benefits of dealing with small firms, some of the challenges they face, and what public sector procurement staff can do to help. Achieving efficiency in public sector procurement and improving the supply base diversity are mutually reinforcing.
	Third Party Supplier Accreditation Study (PDF, 191KB) (Web Publication only) This report identifies that the public sector's use of third party accreditation is currently uncoordinated and does present barriers to suppliers' participation. Recommendations for addressing and reducing these barriers will be developed in full in early 2006.

Related Documents / Other Reading

EU Procurement Guidance (PDF, 1.2MB)
The aim of this guidance is to help contracting authorities draw up contract documents that comply with EU rules on non-discrimination.  Failure to comply with the rules creates a risk of incurring domestic legal and/or EU infraction proceedings.

Guidance on Fair and Ethical Trading (PDF, 52KB)
Fair Trade covers a range of activities aimed at helping producers and workers in developing countries.  This note offers guidance to departments on the action that can be taken, under the EU procurement directives and the government's procurement policy, to meet departmental fair trade objectives.

Guidance to reduce the risks of over-dependency on a supplier (PDF, 71KB)
One of the report's recommendations was to provide guidelines on the factors to be taken into account when seeking to reduce the risk of adverse consequences arising from over-dependency.

Interim Guidance on the use of Supplier Accreditation Services (PDF, 45KB)
Points for Purchasers to consider in relation to Supplier Accreditation Services

OGC/DEFRA joint note on environmental issues in procurement (PDF, 357KB)

OSS Policy (eGU) (PDF, 72KB)
The OSS Policy should be read in conjunction with current advice and guidance on procurement matters from the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).

PQQ (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire)
Enables public sector purchasers to identify the most suitable suppliers to invite to tender for contracts.

Social Issues in Purchasing (PDF, 586KB)
This guidance focuses on the different stages of the procurement process, and the way social issues can legitimately be incorporated into the purchasing cycle.

Supply Chain Management: Aide memoir (PDF, 54KB)
A tool to measure how prime contractors have achieved value for money through their supply chains. Contracting authorities can ensure their prime contractors demonstrate value for money through the supply chain.

 (PDF, 588KB)
It is government policy, as far as possible, to give people with disabilities the opportunity to enter the labour market; it is for that reason that government sponsors supported employment.

Tendering for Government Contracts
SBS/OGC publication advises small businesses on finding and bidding for public sector work.

think smart...think voluntary sector!
Good practice Guidance on Procurement of Services from the Voluntary and Community Sector.

Senior Responsible Industry Executive (SRIE) Briefing (PDF, 618KB)

Small Business Friendly Concordat: Good Practice Guidance
This Good Practice Guide supports the Small Business (SME) Friendly Concordat (Statement of Principles), which has been prepared for Local Authorities in support of the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government.

Procurement Policy Notes
OGC's Procurement Policy Division issues Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs) to public sector organisations, to provide guidance on, or request information about, areas of public procurement policy.

Archived Publications

Capturing Innovation (PDF, 63KB)
Of particular interest to policy makers, SROs and project managers as well as procurement professionals.

Contract Management (PDF, 62KB)
These guidelines covered the issues involved in managing long-term service contracts following contract awards.

Green Public Private Partnerships (PDF, 278KB)
Explains why you need to take green issues seriously and how best to reflect legitimate environmental considerations in the objectives of a scheme. It also points you to sources of advice and practical help.

Increasing competition and improving Long-term capacity planning in the Government Market Place (PDF, 304KB)
Of particular interest to policy makers, SROs and project managers as well as procurement professionals.

Introduction to EU Procurement Rules (PDF, 887KB)
CUP 51 replacement

Public Sector Procurement & Smaller Suppliers (PDF, 217KB)
Levelling the playing field for small & medium sized enterprises.

Supplier Debriefing (PDF, 199KB)
(Replaced CUP Guide No.56)
Guidance that helps suppliers improve their competitive performance. Debriefing is regarded as general good practice and should therefore be seen as an integral part of a quality approach to procurement.