20.19 Other EU procurement methods

The following procedures can be used for individual contracts if the strategic procurement and shared services manager agrees.

(a) Competitive dialogue

This can be used only rarely, for example when the council does not know what specification it needs. It allows the council to talk to providers during the procurement process.

(b) Framework agreements

These are arrangements between the council and providers that set terms for any contracts between them. Framework agreements are for a set period and should not normally be for more than four years.

(c) eAuctions and eProcurement

eAuctions are electronic auctions where providers bid against each other to offer the lowest price. They are open to any provider that meets certain conditions and include all tenders that meet the specification. eProcurement covers a range of electronic procurement methods.

(d) Framework agreement or one-off contract set up by another public organisation

This can be used if the public organisation has been the lead organisation in setting up the framework agreement or contract and has acted within national and EU law and the council can properly join the contract.

(e) Public auction

This can be used for buying or selling land.

(f) Purchasing consortiums

Purchasing consortiums must be able to show that they follow EU procurement rules.

Page last reviewed 22 Oct 2008