Procurement

European Union and Procurement

European Union (EU) Directives

All Councils in the United Kingdom are required by law to comply with the E.U. Public Procurement Directives for the advertising and the award of Contracts.

Minimum Financial Thresholds - Public Sector 1 January 2018

The European Public Contracts Directive (2014/24/EU)

Supply, Services (1) and Design Contracts

Central Government (4)              £118,133 (€144,000)

Other Contracting Authorities      £181,302 (€221,000)

Small Lots                                   £65,630 (€80,000)

Works Contracts (2)

Central Government (4)              £4,551,413 (€5,548,000)

Other Contracting Authorities     £4,551,413 (€5,548,000)

Small Lots                                   £820,370 (€1,000,000)

Social and other specific services (3)

Central Government (4)             £615,278 (€750,000)

Other Contracting Authorities    £615,278 (€750,000)

Small Lots                                  N/A

1) With the exception of the following services which have different thresholds or are exempt:

  • Social and other specific services (subject to the light touch regime) Article 74
  • Subsidised services contracts specified under Article 13
  • Research and development services under Article 14 (specified CPV codes are exempt)

2) With the exception of subsidised works contracts specified under Article 13.

3) As per Article 74. Services are listed in Annex XIV.

4) Schedule 1 of the Public Contracts Regulations lists the Central Government Bodies subject to the WTO GPA. These thresholds will also apply to any successor bodies.

Types of Official Journal of the European Community (OJEC) Notice

Supplies

  • Prior Information Notice
  • Open Procedure
  • Restricted Procedure
  • Negotiated Procedure
  • Contract Award Notice

Services

  • Prior Information Notice
  • Open Procedure
  • Restricted Procedure
  • Negotiated Procedure
  • Contract Award Notice
  • Design Contest Notice
  • Design Contest Result Notice

Works

  • Prior Information Notice
  • Open Procedure
  • Restricted Procedure
  • Negotiated Procedure
  • Contract Award Notice
  • Public Works Concession Contract Notice
  • Notice of Works Contracts Awarded by Concessionaires

Minimum Timescales for EU Process

Open Procedure

Time scale - must be advertised on OJEC at least 52 days prior to the closing date for the receipt of tenders

Allow 11 days from the dispatch of the notice before advertising in the UK press.

Under no circumstances must the advertisement in the UK press appear before the publication of the OJEC notice.

Restricted Procedure

Time scale - must be advertised in OJEC and allow at least 37 days for applicant to register interest. A further 40 days is required from the date of dispatch of tenders to the closing date.

Negotiated Procedure

Time scale - must be advertised in OJEC and allow 37 days for applicants to register interest.

Accelerated Procedure

Time scale - must be advertised in OJEC and allow 15 days for applicant to register interest, and 10 days from the date of dispatch of tenders to the closing date.