Tendering thresholds and pre-qualification

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 may 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, services and works between £0 and £24,999

The Council will normally obtain a written quotation from at least one supplier.

Goods, services and works between £25,000 up to the Public Contract Regulations threshold for Goods and Services (£189,330 as of 1 January 2020).

Interested suppliers will be asked to complete a quotation form. The Council requires written quotations from at least 3 suppliers.

Goods, services and works above the Public Contract Regulations threshold for Goods and Services (£189,330 as of 1 January 2020)

These contracts will be formally tendered and advertised on the SE Shared Services Portal, on Find a Tender - GOV.UK (only for works if they are above the separate threshold) and in the local, national and trade press if appropriate.

For contracts above 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 Public Procurement regulatory procedures. We use the standard Crown Commercial Services Selection Questionnaire (SQ) template - GOV.UK.