Supplying Walsall Council FAQ
When does the council ask for a tender and a quote?
We have a statutory obligation to seek competitive prices.
Generally, the level of value and risk will determine whether we ask for a quote or go out to tender.
Our contract rules are part of Walsall Council’s Constitution. We are required to follow these procedures:
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Above £10,000 and up to £50,000 |
At least 2 written quotations |
|---|---|
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Above £50,001 and up to EU threshold |
At least 3 written tenders |
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Above the EU threshold |
Public Contracts Regulations 2015 apply |
You can register for free out our e-tendering portal to receive notifications when we go out to tender for a particular good, product or service.
What is a competitive tender?
A tender is the completed and priced pre-prepared document that lays out all the terms, conditions and specification. The tender enquiry is issued on our e-tendering portal. They are not then allowed to canvass or collude with us about it, other than to seek clarity.
The tender period allowed for pricing and submitting a tender varies. It depends upon the nature of the contract; however, we normally allow a minimum of 2 weeks.
What is the difference between a tender and a contract?
People often use the same terms for different things and different terms for the same thing.
The term tender formally means an invitation to trade under the terms of offer.
A contract is the term used for when the parties have reached agreement.
Where can I find information about supplying with the wider public sector?
The government provides information about tendering for public sector contracts on their website, which includes a link to the Contracts Finder website.
What is OJEU?
OJEU is the Official Journal of the European Union. It publishes tender opportunities for supplies, services and works from across the European Union.
The contract value thresholds for the council to publish Contract Notices in OJEU from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019 are:
- Supplies and Services £181,302
- Works £4,551,413
Where can I get access to the OJEU notices?
These are available through the tenders electronic daily website, which publishes all contract notices throughout the EU. You can view the information without the need to register. However, if you do register you can undertake more detailed searches and access historical information.
You can also find further information on the SIMAP website.
