Tendering and procuring

EU tendering rules ~15% of the EUs GDP is represented by public sector spending - therefore should be spent in the EU. Tender notices have to be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC). The threshold levels are set in Euro (220,000), and equates to ~£150,000 for goods and services

EU tendering rules Contracts may not be artificially split to make them fall below the threshold. European criteria for awarding tenders: The lowest price only The most economically advantageous tender – using various criteria such as price, period for completion, running costs, profitability, technical merit. If used, must state most economically advantageous method at point of tender advertising.

Buying big technology Create a decision analysis matrix Talk to users of existing systems and services Vendor assessment - will they be there in 5 years? Try to never: be the 1st customer to buy the product! buy a proprietary product that will not allow open systems access and interoperability!

Decision matrix

Outsourcing Why use bureau? Excessive cost of equipment or infrastructure Lack of capability - not able to deliver quality needed Large volumes Short timescale Specialist materials Specialist advice and experience Cheaper - well, sometimes!

Outsourcing What to look out for? security of originals - storage, handling etc payment terms extremely clear specification agreed reworking policy can they really do everything! insist on samples - use these as a benchmark the cheapest quote may mean corners are being cut the most expensive quote can be due to lack of experience with the technology beware sheepskin coats – the salesman syndrome!