Procurement

As customers, suppliers will make clear to their suppliers and those wishing to do business with them, what is expected of them.

Suppliers will ask their suppliers to work with them by:

• being open about their aims, objectives, strategies and alliances as they relate to the council’s business;
• making clear any assumptions and/or risks to the council that underpin the ability to deliver the required goods or services;
• respecting the need for integrity, probity and fairness in the tender process and after the contract award;
• pursuing continuous improvement and where appropriate, sharing experiences, innovations and market advances;
• being proactive in the improvement of the trading relationship;
• working with their suppliers to promote an integrated supply chain and to make effective use of skills and resources;
• fostering professionalism and staff training to enable continuing effective delivery over the life of the contract;
• only bidding where realistic and behaving in such a way as to maintain customer confidence throughout the contract life;
• receiving tender feedback as a means of improving future tender prospects;
• working collaboratively with the suppliers and other parties to ensure that the focus is maintained ultimately on the public interest at all times, as appropriate;
• meeting all diversity requirements for the particular contract;
• complying with all relevant legislation including:
  
  
  • the new code on workforce matters, as it affects procurement;
  • new legislation on racial equalities, as it affects procurement.

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