How we buy goods and services

How you become one of our suppliers will depend on the value and type of contract:

For transactions up to £10,000, the purchasing member of staff will select an appropriate supplier.
For transactions between £10,001 and £25,000, we will seek at least three written quotations.
For transactions between £25,001 and FTS thresholds, we will seek at least four written quotations.
For transactions over FTS thresholds, we will seek formal tender process. The thresholds are:
- £213,477 for services/supplies
- £663,540 for social care, health and other specified services
- £5,336,937 for works

For a contract worth £10,000 or less, we need at least one verbal or written quote.
For a contract worth £10,001 to £25,000, we need at least three written quotes.
For a contract between £25,001 to FTS thresholds, we need at least four written quotes. We publish them on:
- East Midlands Tender Portal
- Contracts Finder, if over £25,000
Anything above the FTS threshold uses a formal tender process. We publish these on:

You must register with us if you wish to provide a quote on a contract:

We also buy commonly-used goods and services through Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO).