We recognise that small local businesses (SME's) provide an invaluable contribution to public procurement bringing significant benefits and encourage their involvement.
For other (non-CPC) public sector opportunities, the only official Government lower value contract website is Contracts Finder. Contracts Finder is now the place where you can find central government tender and contract documentation, and new online public sector procurement and sub-contracting opportunities above £10,000.
EU Thresholds
Further Education Colleges are required to comply with EU tendering directives. The purpose of the directives is to encourage open and transparent competition which is delivered via competitive tendering throughout the European Union. A link to the thresholds under which Colleges must operate is given here. When the College spend exceed these thresholds or product and service areas we are obliged to advertise most of the College tenders in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The College is also able to carry out a 'Further Competition Tender' through a consortium such as the CPC. The CPC is a National Purchasing Consortium who conduct OJEU Tendered Contracts specifically for the further education sector in the UK. Membership of the CPC is free for FE institutions and has over 400 member colleges who access the framework agreements.
For those interested in becoming a supplier to the CPC, they may register their interest and/or view full details of forthcoming and current tenders on the CPC In-Tend website. For more information about Crescent Purchasing Consortium their website is available at:
- http://www.cpc.salford.ac.uk/suppliers/main
- http://www.cpc.salford.ac.uk/suppliers/aboutus
- http://www.cpc.salford.ac.uk/general/supplierbenefits
In-Tend – electronic tendering software
The college carries out the majority of its tenders via the electronic tendering software In-tend. Suppliers registering on the FE College In-Tend website will have access not only to Bicton College’s tenders, but those of other colleges who also use this software. To register on In-Tend, please follow this link.
Lower Value Contracts
For other (non-CPC) public sector opportunities, the only official Government lower value contract website is Contracts Finder. Contracts Finder is now the place where you can find central government tender and contract documentation, and new online public sector procurement and sub-contracting opportunities above £10,000.
To register as a buyer and then post your opportunities directly onto Contracts Finder – follow the instructions here.