Procurement Manual

This manual provides a source of practical advice and guidance on good practice techniques for the procurement of supplies, services and works. It has been designed to give readers assistance whilst they are conducting a procurement exercise. For ease of use the Procurement Manual has been divided into five separate parts and each of the five parts covers an area of the procurement process.  The procurement manual has been purposely written to support the Contract and Procurement Procedure Rules.

Part 1 – Introduction to Procurement

Part 1 – Defines procurement and clarifies the role of Procurement Lincolnshire. It then looks at the decisions that need to be made before any procurement exercise can begin.  It then describes who can authorise procurement exercises and looks at the procurement options available.

Part 2 – Before You Buy

Part 2 highlights some of the important considerations that need to be made before proceeding with the procurement, including contracting strategies, finance issues, timelines, risk management, key procurement documents and calculating contract values.

Part 3 – Proceeding With the Procurement

Part 3 provides an overview of some the key areas that need to be taken into account when conducting a procurement exercise; this includes specification writing, competitive procurement routes, commercial relationships and EU legislation.

Part 4 – The Tender Process

Part 4 takes the reader through the EU tender process, from contract notice to contract award and the different routes that can be followed within this.

Part 5 – Contract Management

Part 5 highlights issues that also need to be considered after the procurement exercise, such as document management, contract management, benefit realisation and disposal procedures. 

This manual is a companion document to the council’s Contract & Procurement Procedure Rules (CPPRs), which should also be referred to when reading this document.  CPPRs should be available on the council’s intranet or website, usually within the Finance Procedure Rules.

Further advice on any aspect of this Manual, CPPRs and the Sustainable Procurement Strategy can be obtained from the Procurement Lincolnshire Team.

This manual will be reviewed regularly and an up to date copy (including the appendices) can be downloaded in electronic format via the Intranet.  Please forward any suggestions for improvement to:

Procurement Lincolnshire
C/O Lincolnshire County Council
Orchard House
Lincoln
Tel: 01522 553920     
E-mail: Procurement.lincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.uk