The tender process
The University tenders contracts in different ways, dependent on the contract’s value, its complexity and the nature of the supply market. Below is an explanation of some of the common processes and stages that we use:
- Tender Notice – this is an advert for a live tendering opportunity and acts as a call for competition.
- Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) – this is used to qualify suppliers in a tender process or to shortlist them to be invited to tender. It addresses matters such as background information on your organisation, your financial standing, insurance levels and experience/track record.
- Invitation to Tender (ITT) – a tender document pack usually comprising of a Pricing Schedule, Terms and Conditions, Specification and Method Statement Questionnaire.
- Method Statement Questionnaire – a series of questions which suppliers need to respond to, these are then evaluated by the University and will inform which supplier is successful.
- Clarification Interview – an interview with a supplier as part of the tender process used to explore the supplier’s written responses in more depth.
- Contract Award Notice – this is a notice to inform interested parties that the University intends to enter into a contract with a particular supplier.
- Framework Agreement – an agreement that has already been tendered by another public body or purchasing consortia that the University can use by either calling off for its requirements or running a Further Competition.
- Further Competition – this is a process where a closed group of suppliers who have already been appointed to an existing framework agreement are invited to tender.