Companies applying for Council business must follow the appropriate tendering procedure. The higher the estimated value of the goods, services or works, the more rigorous the tendering procedure.
If the business opportunity is very straightforward and the value is below the Council's threshold for inviting tenders, then a quotation will be requested as described below.
If the business opportunity is valued above the Council's tender threshold, then the Council will normally ask suppliers to complete a pre-qualification stage. The pre-qualification stage helps the Council check that companies are legally, financially and technically sound. Only those who pass the pre-qualification stage will be invited to submit a tender.
For further information see our finance and insurance requirements.
Thresholds for goods and services
Goods or services under £1,000
The Council will normally obtain a quotation from a single supplier.
Goods and services between £1,000 and £5,000
The Council will normally obtain a written quotation from at least one supplier.
Goods and services between £5,000 and £50,000
Interested suppliers will be asked to complete a quotation form. The Council requires written quotations from at least 3 suppliers.
Goods and services between £50,000 (tender threshold) and £173,934 These contracts will be formally tendered and advertised on the South East Business Portal and in the local, national and trade press if appropriate.
Interested suppliers will be asked to complete a below EU level pre-qualification questionnaire.
Suppliers who pass the pre-qualification stage will be invited to tender or negotiate under Council procedures.
Goods and services above £173,934 (EU tender threshold)
These contracts will be formally tendered and advertised on the South East Business Portal, in the Official Journal of the European Union and in the local, national and trade press if appropriate.
At the European tender threshold, interested suppliers will be required to complete an EU level pre-qualification questionnaire. Suppliers who pass this pre-qualification stage will be invited to tender or negotiate under European procedures.
Thresholds for works*
Works under £1,000
The Council will normally obtain a quotation from a single supplier.
Works between £1,000 and £15,000
The Council will normally obtain a written quotation from at least one supplier.
Works between £15,000 and £100,000
Interested suppliers will be asked to complete a quotation form. The Council requires written quotations from at least 3 suppliers.
Works between £100,000 (tender threshold) and £4,348,350
These contracts will be formally tendered and advertised on the South East Business Portal and in the local, national and trade press if appropriate.
Interested suppliers will be asked to complete a below EU level pre-qualification questionnaire.
Suppliers who pass the pre-qualification stage will be invited to tender or negotiate under Council procedures.
Works above £4,348,350 (EU tender threshold)
These contracts will be formally tendered and advertised on the South East Business Portal, in the Official Journal of the European Union and in the local, national and trade press if appropriate.
At the European tender threshold, interested suppliers will be required to complete an EU level pre-qualification questionnaire. Suppliers who pass this pre-qualification stage will be invited to tender or negotiate under European procedures.
* 'Works' means building or civil engineering activities.
East Sussex County Council