Procurement - Rules and Regulations

As a local authority there are regulations, which the council has to follow when procuring supplies, works and services. It is vital that if you wish to contract with Bristol City Council you are fully aware of the rules and regulations which govern the way we operate.

The Procurement Regulations (pdf, 21 KB) summarise the rules that we must follow, depending on the value of the purchase. Where supplies & services procurements exceed £173,934*, and works exceed £4,348,350* the European Procurement Directives must be followed, and contracts are advertised in the 'Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union' (OJEU), which is accessible online via the Tenders Electronic Daily website. More detailed information about these directives is available in the Selling to the Council Guide.

The Bristol e-Commissioning and Procurement System (Proactis) is the e-tendering system used across the council. Proactis facilitates the publication of contract opportunities and is a web portal for supplier registration. It also allows for communication with suppliers, issuing and receipt of tender documentation and evaluation of tenders.

Bristol City Council's Terms and Conditions apply to anything ordered by the authority unless it has expressly agreed otherwise in writing, or the order is for something covered by an existing written contract.

* Values are reviewed every two years, and current values are applicable from 01/01/2012 until 31/12/2013.