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. These requirements are set out below.

For further information please read Procurement Guidance Note 06/10 - Procurement of Construction Works and Services

1. Northern Ireland Guide to Expenditure Appraisal and Evaluation (NIGEAE)

The Northern Ireland Guide to Expenditure Appraisal and Evaluation (NIGEAE) applies to all proposals that involve spending or saving public money or changes in the use of public resources. NIGEAE requires that all such proposals should be supported by evidence of suitable appraisal, approval, management and evaluation. There are no exceptions to this general requirement.

2. Procurement through a Centre of Procurement Expertise

Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy requires that all public procurement be undertaken by a Service Level Agreement with Central Procurement Directorate or through another Centre of Procurement Expertise.

3. Gateway Review Process

The Gateway Review Process is a key assurance mechanism designed to provide an objective view of a programme or project’s ability to deliver on time and to budget.  It is not part of the programme or project management process. The Gateway Review Process is managed in NI by CPD via its Centre of Expertise (CoE) for Programme and Project Management (PPM).

Further guidance is contained in CPD's Procurement Guidance Note 01/09.

4. Achieving Excellence in Construction

The objective of the Achieving Excellence in Construction Initiative is to make the public sector construction client a best practice client when procuring construction works and services.  The initiative aims to improve the management techniques adopted by clients, measure key aspects of performance, develop an integrated culture within project teams and achieve maximum benefits from standardisation and new technologies.  

OGC Achieving Excellence guidance:-

Achieving Excellence guides are available to download from the OGC Achieving Excellence in Construction website.

5.Sustainable Procurement in Construction

A number of policy initiatives have been produced to help practitioners achieve their sustainability objectives. Six of these initiatives are particularly relevant to construction procurement and are outlined below.

• Equality of Opportunity and Sustainable Development in Public Sector Procurement
  contains guidance on how to integrate equality and sustainable development considerations into the procurement process, while meeting the existing statutory duties in relation to equality of opportunity and sustainable development.
• Sustainable Procurement Action Plan
  The Northern Ireland Executive launched its new Sustainable Development Strategy, “Everyone's Involved", on 27 May 2010. This strategy has been designed to provide a framework that can support and inform the decisions and actions taken by individuals, groups and organisations in progressing the sustainability agenda.
  For further information and to download Everyone's Involved please go to the OFMDFM Website
• Sustainability Action Plan - Achieving Sustainability in Construction Procurement
• Sustainable Construction Group Guidance
• CIFNI Sustainability Requirements for Construction Works Contracts
• BREEAM / CEEQUAL
  Further information on BREEAM and CEEQUAL is available from the following websites:

http://www.breeam.org
http://www.ceequal.com

6. Policy on Architecture and the Built Environment

The strategic aim of the policy is to promote the value and benefit of good design in buildings and public open spaces and to demonstrate the importance that Government attaches to the achievement of the highest standards of design in publicly funded buildings and spaces.

Download the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Policy on Architecture and the Built Environment for Northern Ireland

See Also

Performance & Contract Management for Construction Projects

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