We spend approximately £900 million a year, of which 70% is spent on goods, works, services and property contracts with private, voluntary and community organisations and other public bodies.
We work to make it as easy as possible for potential suppliers to tender for council contracts. The tendering processes are nationally established and enable the council to secure best outcomes and best value for residents.
Find tender opportunities
All opportunities for working with H&F are advertised through our e-procurement platform capitalEsourcing. Suppliers are proactively encouraged to complete the registration in full on capitalEsourcing and to regularly review upcoming opportunities.
Depending on the value threshold, these are also published on Contracts Finder - GOV.UK and Find a Tender Service (previously OJEU).
In addition, we may also use framework agreements awarded by other public bodies, such as the Crown Commercial Service (CCS). Collaborating with other local authorities and public bodies can also help us get better prices by combining our buying power.
Our tendering processes and contractual arrangements have to comply with:
- H&F contract standing orders (pdf 709KB)
- Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (www.legislation.gov.uk) as amended The Public Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (legislation.gov.uk)
- The Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 (legislation.gov.uk)
Value thresholds
Depending on the value of the contract we will seek quotes or run an open tender.
Some low value (£10,000 - £49,999) and medium value (£50,000 - £213,477) contracts involve procurements that are reserved to local suppliers in the business or voluntary sector.
Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems can be used as a route to market for all thresholds.
Read more about how to win local council contracts.
Social value in procurement
Under the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 we have to consider how our spending could also generate wider benefits to the community in terms of economic, social and environmental well-being - collectively known as ‘social value’. That means we have to consider:
(a) how what is proposed to be procured might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of H&F
(b) how, in conducting the process of procurement, we might secure that improvement.
H&F implements their social value policy on all contracts over £100k; there is a requirement for all bidders to demonstrate their qualitative and quantitative social value commitment through their submission. Social value commitments will be part of the contract terms, as key performance indicators (KPIs)
Read more about social value here: Social value in H&F
Bidders may find this matrix helpful in understanding social value expectations: H&F themes, outcomes and measures (TOMs) 2020/21 (xls).
Commitment to H&F policies
We expect our tenderers to commit to working with us in achieving our policy and strategic goals, particularly in the following areas:
- Dementia Friendly Borough
- Equalities Plan
- Ethical Investment
- London Living Wage
- Reducing carbon impacts to tackle Climate Change
- Social Value
- Tackling Modern Slavery
Read more from our Sourcing Strategy: Agenda for Cabinet on Monday, 6th February, 2023 (item 10)
Transparency - contract records and spend data
As a local authority spending public funds, we have a legal requirement to publish our procurement spend data and contract records information every quarter.
This data is extracted from our e-procurement platform (capitalEsourcing), formatted for public viewing, and uploaded on the internet: transparency webpage.
Community Right to Challenge
The right to challenge allows voluntary and community groups, charities, parish councils, and council staff to bid to run a local authority service where they believe they can do so differently and better. Find out more about Community Right to Challenge.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please contact us at: