• Home
• F.A.Q.s

Frequently Asked Questions - Procurement

Questions

General Information

• How can I get on the Council's Approved Supplier List?
• What does the Council do to support small and/or local businesses?
• Does the Council use a third party supplier accreditation scheme such as Exor or Construction-line?
• What is the OJEU?
• Where can I find out about other contract opportunities?
• Where can I find the council's standard terms and conditions of contract?

[Back to Top]

Answers

General Information

How can I get on the Council's Approved Supplier List?

Thurrock Council does not keep an Approved Suppliers list.

The Council only selects suppliers when actual tender opportunities have been identified. We will issue tender documents asking for up to date information at that time, and only at that time. This approach saves both the supplier and the Council time and money, and avoids both sides excessive paperwork.

[Back to Top]

What does the Council do to support small and/or local businesses?

The Council has implemented a strategic target of paying local SMEs with 10 days. Apart from this, the Council does not have a policy which expressly favours local SMEs but we are committed to enabling SMEs to compete on a level field with larger suppliers.

This support includes:

• Representation at workshops on doing business with the Council.
• Regular attendance at 'Meet the Buyer' and 'Business Breakfast' events to brief SMEs and voluntary organisations about the Public Sector Procurement process.
• Advice on accessing contract portals - the Council works collaboratively with other Essex Councils in providing a single supplier portal to reduce the administrative burden on suppliers.
• Engagement with local voluntary sector representatives.
• Online guidance on supplying the Council.

[Back to Top]

Does the Council use a third party supplier accreditation scheme such as Exor or Construction-line?

No, Thurrock Council does not use any third party accreditation schemes.

Thurrock Council will evaluate each supplier against the criteria set for each contract being tendered. We will ask each supplier to complete the tender documents, regardless of whether they are approved by another party or not. This is to ensure fairness and choice for those suppliers who choose not register with a third party accreditation scheme.

[Back to Top]

What is the OJEU?

OJEU is the Official Journal of the European Union.

When contracts for works, supplies and services are over a certain value threshold, local authorities and other public sector organisations have to advertise their details in this publication, calling for expressions of interest.

All the Council's OJEU notices can be viewed alongside other contract notices on the [url=thurrock.g2b.info/cgi-gen/profile.pl?action=view_profile&oid=704#6Procurement Portal[iurl].

[Back to Top]

Where can I find out about other contract opportunities?

Within the Business section of this website, see the 'Useful links' page or the 'Selling to the Council - A Supplier's Guide' pages, for tips on where to start.

[Back to Top]

Where can I find the council's standard terms and conditions of contract?

Standard terms and conditions are available from the Publications, Guides, Terms & Conditions page in our Supplier's guide: Selling to the council.

[Back to Top]

Back to Top