Policy and Legislation

CPD, as the lead NI Procurement Body, supports the Procurement Board which has responsibility for the development, dissemination and co-ordination of public procurement policy and practice for the Northern Ireland public sector.

NI Public Procurement Policy

The Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy document sets out the policies adopted by the Executive and the organisational structures that have been established to implement them. The document also outlines the 12 Procurement Principles which govern the administration of public procurement.

Procurement Policy Guidance Notes

CPD disseminates advice and guidance to the NI public sector on public procurement policies through the production of Procurement Guidance Notes.

Procurement Advice Notes

Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) is responsible for disseminating best practice guidance to Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs). Procurement Advice Notes are intended to ensure greater consistency across CoPEs and simplify engagement with suppliers.

Policy Framework for Construction Procurement

The Policy Framework for Construction Procurement sets out six key aspects of Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy that are of particular significance to construction works and services:

Tender Arrangements for Construction Works Contracts

Mandatory requirements for participation in tender competitions for works contracts up to £4.3M

In line with Procurement Guidance Note 05/12, the Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs) have agreed, in consultation with the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland, that from the 01 January 2013, contractors wishing to apply to be short-listed for invitation to tender must:

Be registered with Constructionline, have ‘Active’ status and have at least the minimum Category Value in one of the Work Categories specified for the procurement;
Have a health and safety management system, satisfying the requirements of the Buildsafe-NI initiative, which has been certified by one of the 3rd parties listed; and
Have a valid certificate demonstrating that the company’s organisation and arrangements for health and safety have been evaluated, in accordance with the CDM Regulations (ACOP Stage 1 assessment), under a scheme which is a member of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Forum.

Procurement Process for Over Threshold Construction Works and Services

In support of the Procurement Processes set out in Procurement Guidance Note 06/10 - Procurement of Construction Works and Services, Central Procurement Directorate has developed standard template Pre-Qualification Documentation for:

Over Threshold Construction Works Contracts, and
Over Threshold Construction Services Contracts.

Simplified Procurement Process for Under Threshold Construction Works and Services Contracts

In support of the Simplified Procurement Processes set out in Procurement Guidance Note 05/12, Central Procurement Directorate has developed standard template Pre-Qualification Documentation for Under Threshold Construction Works & Construction Services Contracts.

Buildsafe NI Action Plan

The aim of the Buildsafe-NI initiative is to eliminate deaths and substantially reduce injuries, through improvements in the application and management of health and safety processes within the industry.

Contractors, consultants (and their supply chains) seeking to tender for public sector works contracts must be able to satisfy the Government Construction Client that they have the resources and competence to manage health and safety. As a minimum, they must demonstrate that they are capable of meeting the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (NI) 2007 and other relevant regulations, approved codes of practice and recognised guidance.

For more information on the Buildsafe NI Action Plan, please go to the Buildsafe NI page

Sustainability

CPD and the Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs) have a key role to play in the drive towards Sustainable Development by assisting the Northern Ireland Public Sector to embed sustainable development considerations into its spending and investment decisions

Innovation and Public Procurement

Public procurement is a key driver for innovation particularly in the manufacturing and construction industries and generally in relation to the achievement of sustainable development. For further information and to download innovation guides, please go to our Innovation and Public Procurement page.

EU Directives and UK Procurement Legislation

Procurement law is driven by European directives, which are implemented in NI through regulations, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2006. The regulations apply to all public bodies which are largely owned, managed or financed through public funds. This includes government departments and their agencies, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), hospitals and health sector purchasers, housing associations, education boards and institutions, various non-government organisations and district councils.

EC Procurement Thresholds

EC Procurement Thresholds. .
The EU Procurement Rules apply to public authorities (including, amongst others, Government departments, local authorities and NHS Authorities and Trusts) and certain utility companies operating in the Energy, Water, Transport and Telecoms sectors. The rules set out detailed procedures for the award of contracts whose value equals or exceeds specific thresholds.