How we tender for goods and services

The contract value guides our procurement procedures, including how many quotes we need or if a tender process is necessary.

Guidelines for quotes and tenders

The following are our current thresholds:

Table showing procurement thresholds and processes
Value Including VAT	Type	Quotes or tendering
Up to £29,999.99	Goods Works Services Concession	Minimum one quote in writing, (local supplier if possible). Use of an approved Framework.
£30,000.00 and over up to £214,904.00	Goods Services	A minimum of three written quotes (one from a local supplier if possible). 6 recommended as best practice. Use of an approved Framework.
£30,000.00 and over up to £1M	Works Concession	Minimum 4 written quotes. Use of an approved Framework. A full tender process recommended as best practice.
Over £214,904.00	Goods Services	Tender process in compliance with legal requirements undertaken via the Procurement Portal. Use of an approved legally compliant Framework or Dynamic Market.
£1M and over up to £5,372,609.00	Works Concession	Minimum 6 written quotes. A full tender process recommended as best practice. Use of an approved legally compliant Framework or Dynamic Market
Over £5,372.609.00	Works Concession	Tender process in compliance with legal requirements undertaken via the Procurement Portal. Use of an approved legally compliant Framework or Dynamic Market.

We use several tender processes depending on the project and value:

Mini Competition / Direct Award under a Framework or Dynamic Market - Subject to the framework owners' instructions for use
Request for Quotation (RFQ) - For lower value procurements where the corporate procurement portal will be used to advertise the opportunity
Invitation to Tender - Projects advertised on the corporate procurement portal and if over threshold Find a Tender.
Competitive Flexible Procedure - For more complex projects advertised on the corporate procurement portal and Find a Tender

Address: Town Hall
St Aldate's
Oxford
OX1 1BX

Telephone: 01865 252497