Procurement

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.

Common Assessment Standard

When companies apply for our tenders, they often have to fill in the same forms again and again. Some companies already hold special accreditations. These accreditations can allow them to skip parts of our pre‑qualification checks. 

These checks are called the Build UK Common Assessment Standard (CAS). There are several recognised assessment bodies that can provide these accreditations. You can find a list of them on the Build UK website

Health and 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.

In regard to SSIP accreditation, there are various bodies who can perform this required industry-standard health and safety accreditation. Please refer to the above link.

Insurance

For most works-type agreements, 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.