How we advertise contract opportunities
Approved lists
We do not routinely maintain our own list of approved contractors/consultants for goods, works or services.
Where we do wish to establish an approved list or framework contract, these requirements will be openly advertised.
How we advertise
We use a Central Government contracts portal to advertise our contract opportunities. This is a free service for business and enables organisations to register and receive email alerts whenever an appropriate opportunity is advertised.
Where the anticipated value of the contract equal or exceeds the UKPCR procurement thresholds (including aggregation requirements), notices are placed in Find a tender (GOV.UK website) and appropriate forms of media.
Tenders are also advertised on our website and through Atamis eSourcing.
Evaluation of tenders is directly linked to the shortlisting/contract award criteria specified within the original advert and/or within the tender documents. Under no circumstances may a tender be evaluated on issues other than those listed within the advertisement or tender documents.
For construction works we use Constructionline for all projects up to £1.5 million and for construction related consultants where the likely cost will not exceed the UKPCR threshold limit of services of £213,477.
Where the anticipated expenditure is likely to exceed these financial thresholds, we will formally advertise for expressions of interest.
Constructionline is the UK's register of pre-qualified local and national construction and construction-related contractors and consultants.
E-procurement
We use an e-procurement system, Atamis eSourcing, to advertise tender opportunities and market engagement events, as well as trading electronically with suppliers. In simple terms, e-procurement means buying and paying for goods and services electronically; mainly using the internet. This is becoming increasingly popular with public and private sector organisations.
In order to trade electronically with us, organisations must register for free with Atamis eSourcing.
If you have any problems, contact the Atamis helpdesk on