1. Professional advice required
Procurement thresholds, typical timescales and actions
3 simple steps to buying stuff
Value
Process
Procurement activity
Typical timescales
Professional advice required
Limited by your delegated approval level
Select a supplier *2
Place a Purchase Order *3 using SciQuest, e-Financials or
eIT (Internal Services)
Approval by appropriate authorised signatory No
Under £1000
Procurement Journey Route 1
Retain evidence of value for money (i.e. price comparison)
Estimates are acceptable
N/A
(but training and help available)
Between £1000 and £50,000
Obtain Quotes from at least 3 suppliers
1 day – 4 weeks
Over £50,000
Procurement Journey Route 2 or Route 3
(if complex)
FULL TENDER
(Sealed Competitive Bids)
Requires the APPROVAL of a plan by Director of Procurement before commencing
1-3 months
YES
Over £181,302
(goods / services)
Over £4,551,413 (works)
3-6 months
(minimum timescale of 3 months applies)
1. Obtain from an internal department or buy from a contracted supplier *1
2. Obtain quotes (below £50,000) *4
3. Do a plan / tender (above £50,000) *5
*1 Contracted suppliers: (supplier/contract database):
*2 If buying from a framework agreement, a “mini tender” may be required. Check the contract details on or speak with procurement:
*3 A Purchase Order should be placed no matter what process is undertaken
*4 If not available via current contract, obtain 3 quotes prior to purchase. See How to Buy guidance for procedures on obtaining quotes:
*5 If £50,000 or above, you must contact the Procurement Office before proceeding. Will require competitive tender process aligned with the Scottish Procurement Journey:
Please Note: A Quote is an official price for goods, services, or works given by a supplier based on a clearly defined requirement. Buyers can hold suppliers to prices and terms given in quotes for the period for which they are valid. Estimates from suppliers provide an approximate costing only. Suppliers are not obligated to honour prices and terms given as estimates.