The Docking Station
A one-stop shop for use by local authorities who are undergoing tendering and contracting procedures. It’s a full suite of ‘off-the-shelf’ documents that local authorities often need to use – from the start of the tendering process through to the awarding of contracts – and beyond. These ‘blue-prints for buying’, co-ordinated by the NWCE Standards Group, should make the tendering and contracting process easier, simpler and more efficient. All documents have been through a multi-authority drafting process and have also been checked and validated against preset criteria. They can be adopted in their entirety or extracts can be used, where appropriate. Bear in mind, that should an extract be used, it is done in the knowledge that the documents have been developed as an entirety. To extract at random may have risk implications.
Enter the Docking Station
Contract Award and Rejection Letters
How do you deliver the good news – and break the bad? The documents you will need, including minimum versions of the letters that include the basic details necessary to meet legal requirements as well also more informative, detailed versions.
Contract Procedure Rules
Tendering can be a complicated process. This set of documents sets out the basic framework under which a tender, and subsequent contract, should be conducted.
Equality and Diversity
It’s essential that the tendering process fully complies with equality and diversity legislation. Providing appropriate guidance and documentation to ensure all these requirements are met.
Financial Thresholds
Setting appropriate financial thresholds on tenders is vital. Guidance to ensure that suitable – and sensible – thresholds are set within the tender.
Pre-qualification Documentation
Getting this part of the process right is the key to ultimately selecting a quality supplier and product. There’s a range of excellent documents that cover all the angles.
Tender Documents
The meat in the sandwich of effective procurement! Top-class tender documents will narrow the margin for error during the contractor selection process. Everything you’ll need from the basic invitation to tender document to guidance for tender evaluation.
Terms and Conditions
The devil’s in the detail! Without appropriate and effective terms and conditions, contracts can fail spectacularly. Documentation to ensure that this doesn’t happen.
General Documentation
This suite of helpful, informative documents supplements the key sections of The Docking Station to increase knowledge and widen expertise.
4Ps Corporate and Transactional Services Procurement Pack
The 4Ps have produced a complementary set of guidance and documentation to assist in the procurement of business process and support. This will be available via the docking station soon.
Contact Gillian Brindle on 01305 757232 or g.brindle@dorsetcc.gov.uk for any further information regarding the Procurement workstream.
