Procuring for construction
Tendering for construction and hard FM projects (typically known as works) can be costly and complex for providers. The following therefore gives some insight to the criteria we may ask as part of the process. This is always subject to change dependent on the specific project, with the detail always to be found in the tender documentation.
Constructionline or equivalent
We state basic criteria in our documents which a provider is required to meet regarding live online pre-qualification data. This is common in the industry. Successful suppliers are therefore required to hold a ‘silver’ accreditation under Constructionline. We will always accept equivalents.
Completing tender documents can become repetitive, and whilst we use the BSI PAS-91 pre-qualification criteria, an enhanced membership of such an accreditation body can further allow some exemptions to the criteria we set.
Health & Safety - Safety Schemes in Procurement ('SSIP')
Successful providers who engage in property maintenance, construction and some areas of facilities management should be positively accredited by a registered member of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (‘SSIP’) for the management of health and safety. Our tenders often mandate this for these categories, and it is therefore highly recommended that providers seek early advice upfront in the application process for the accreditation. SSIP is not uncommon in general local authority tenders and we are among many authorities who ask for this.
With regards to SSIP accreditation there are various bodies (e.g., CHAS or equivalent) who can perform this required industry-standard health and safety accreditation.
Insurance
For most works-type agreement, we request a standard set of minimum insurance requirements, typically public liability £5m and employers liability £10m. Professional indemnity may feature in an agreement and, where set, may be around £5m for works agreements. NOTE – these values may change depending on the procurement project.
Pre-Qualified List
In answer to the local buying demand from the education sector, schools etc who frequently require very low value (less than £500) facilities management / light construction work performing, we can sign-post providers to join an informal pre-qualified list. Membership requires insurance and typical accreditations as mentioned above. There is no guarantee of work from being on the list. Whilst education customers, who are their own legal contracting authority, may utilise this route, the council ordinarily will firstly look to its own or other 3rd party agreements. Refer queries to contact us.