Sandwell Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) whose responsibilities include the provision of housing management and repairs & maintenance services to approximately 32,000 council-owned properties throughout Sandwell.

Each year we spend a considerable amount of money on the wide range of goods and services required and it is essential that we achieve value for money in our “purchasing and procurement”. More than this, however ,we expect and encourage our suppliers, current and potential, to adopt and embrace our philosophies and principles in respect of health & safety, equality, diversity, sustainability and environmental awareness.

We look to achieve continuous improvement ourselves and know that if our suppliers also have this aim they will benefit and a wider customer base will be opened to them.

Tenders And Contracts

To ensure we achieve value for money we have in place a tenders programme to cover the purchase of those goods and services we buy on a regular basis.

Tenders can be either “open tenders” or “restricted tenders”.

Under the open tender procedure all suppliers who respond to an advert are supplied with the tender documents which they can return if they so wish. This procedure is normally used when we purchase goods.

The restricted procedure, a two stage process, is used for larger, non-standard requirements and services contracts. Interested parties are invited to undergo a “pre-qualification assessment” before a limited number are invited to tender. It is our policy now that all future suppliers of services should be registered with both Constructionline (the Government operated Contractor Assessment Service) and CHAS ( the Governement operated Contractor Health & Safety Assessment Service).

Further details are available on request from our Purchasing Department.

Our current and forthcoming tenders programme is shown on our website and will be updated quarterly. Potential suppliers should contact our Purchasing Department by e-mail or fax in the first instance to register an interest.

In addition to the regular purchases covered by our tenders programme there are occasions where a “one off” purchase is required and, dependent upon the anticipated cost, these purchases will normally be undertaken using a 3 quotation process. If applicable, potential suppliers will be selected from Constructionline registered companies. If not, applicable searches will be undertaken using the Internet and adverts placed in the local press to identify suitable suppliers. These opportunities to tender will also appear on the website.

For more detailed information on tenders at Sandwell Homes, please visit www.sandwellhomestenders.org.uk .  For help in registering your company on our website please click here for a registration guide. or click here for a navigation guide.

Please click here for a competency check list which will give you information on what we require from suppliers wishing to do business with Sandwell Homes.

Europe

This requires that any tender for supplies and services which exceeds £139,893 must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), and open to competition throughout the member states. Works contracts which will exceed £3,611,319 also have to be advertised in OJEU.

Award Criteria

Tenders are usually awarded on the basis of the “most economically advantageous tender”. The lowest price is not always the best option so tenders are assessed upon various criteria other than price. A weighted scoring matrix is devised which allows for comparisons to be made between the various tenders. The leading contenders are usually invited for a “contracts assessment interview” at which time they will be asked questions regarding their bid to ensure they fully understand our requirements. They will also be asked questions about their own company and given the opportunity to ask questions themselves.

It is important to appreciate that not all goods and services purchased by Sandwell Homes are covered by the tenders procedure outlined above. More and more we are participating in collaborative purchasing arrangements with other ALMOs, councils, central Government and purchasing consortia. Examples of the products and services purchased in this manner include mobile phones, photocopiers, stationery and energy.

If you are interested in becoming a supplier to Sandwell Homes you should first check that the product or service you wish to supply is not already covered by a collaborative agreement or if existing arrangements are in place which will preclude the need for Sandwell Homes to enter the market for a period of time.

Purchasing Cards

We encourage all suppliers to accept payment by purchasing card. This will ensure prompt and speedy payment of invoices. Further information is available upon request from the purchasing section.

BACS

Our preferred method of payment for those suppliers who do not accept purchasing cards is BACS and all suppliers are requested to provide bank details to enable electronic transfer of funds.

E-Procurement

Sandwell Homes embraces the use of new technologies and will be undertaking a proportion of their purchasing using “e–procurement”. All suppliers are encouraged to investigate the benefits this technology can bring to their business. Wherever possible, purchase orders are currently despatched by e-mail to suppliers.

Freedom Of Information Act

Sandwell Homes is a public sector body and as such is required to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. Under the terms of the Act we may be required to disclose information that has been given by a supplier. Any requests for disclosure of information need to satisfy certain conditions as the Act provides certain safeguards. Click here for further information on the Freedom of Information Act.

Contact Details and Pre-Qualification Questionnaire

If you have any questions or want to obtain a copy of a Pre Qualification Questionnaire please contact our Purchasing Department on 0121 569 6088 or apply in

writing to:

Purchasing Department
Sandwell Homes Limited
Sandwell Road
West Bromwich
Sandwell
West Midlands
B70 8TB

Related Documents

Tender Calendar 2008 - 2009

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