Procurement rules and regulations

In common with all public sector bodies, we are subject to a series of rules governing how we may purchase goods, services and works over a specified value.

Where the estimated value is expected to exceed the relevant EU threshold, our requirements must be advertised in the daily supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

The threshold varies from time to time and has traditionally been amended every two years on 1 January. It was last amended on 1 January 2010 and the current threshold for goods and services that need to be advertised is £156,442. The level for works is £3,927,260.

The Regulations set out obligatory timescales intended to ensure that suppliers are given a reasonable time to respond to adverts. This includes fulfilling requests for expressions of interests as well as invitations to tender.

The OJEU notices are now published in electronic format and can be accessed via the Tenders Electronic Daily website.

You can also contact Tenders Direct. This organisation searches the text of all the tender notices published in the OJEU each day and can pick out any tenders that match your keyword. For more information contact:

Tenders Direct
10 Queens Road
Aberdeen
United Kingdom
AB15 4ZT
Telephone: 0870 609 1467
International: +44 1224 636999
Fax: +44 (0)1224 636997
Email: info@tendersdirect.co.uk
Or visit the Tenders Direct website

A similar service can be obtained through South Yorkshire Euro Info Centre. For more information contact:

South Yorkshire European Information Centre

SYITC
c/o Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
Albion House
Savile Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire S4 7UD

Tel: +44 (0) 114 201 2595
Fax: 0+ 44(0) 114 201 2552
E-mail: eic@syitc.com
Or visit their website