Information for those who want to join our supply chain
How we work with our suppliers and partners
We aim for the best value on every purchase while providing high-quality housing and services for residents. We follow the Procurement Act 2023 and the Regulator of Social Housing rules, ensuring it’s fair, transparent and compliant.
When we look for new suppliers, we advertise all contract opportunities on our supplier portal. Use the portal to register, view tenders and send quotes.
- You can also view opportunities on the Government’s Central Digital Platform
- Their factsheet explains how to use the Central Digital Platform
- You can also register on ProcureCo which connects housing providers and suppliers before tenders go live
Our procurement spend is distributed across key areas such as:
Investment/development
Investment/property and assets
Operations/localities
Group support services, finance and governance
Sustainable places
Care, inclusion and community
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Delivering social value
We follow the Social Value Act 2012, which means procurement must create wider social, economic and environmental benefits.
We’re looking to partner with organisations that reflect our values and care about making a difference. That’s why, when we assess bids, we give 20% weighting to the social value they offer. It’s one of the ways we make sure our services truly benefit the people who live in our communities.
We always aim for value for money and legal compliance. Here’s how we buy goods, services and works (all figures include VAT):
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£10,000 or less: At least one written quote with market testing
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£10,001-£29,999: At least two written quotes
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£30,000-£99,999 (goods/services) or £30,000-£499,999 (works): At least three written quotes
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£100,000-£199,999 (goods/services) or £500,000-£4,999,999 (works): At least five written quotes
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£200,000+ (goods/services) or £5,000,000+ (works): Full tender process
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Framework agreements: Call off contracts from existing frameworks (ours or third-party)
Examples of anchor institutions
- Local councils
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Housing associations
- Museums and galleries
Why this matters for your business:
- Access reliable, long-term contracts
- Build your reputation as a trusted local supplier
- Strengthen links with other local organisations
Supplier assurance
We use Alcumus, a leading provider of technology-led risk management solutions, to check that every supplier meets health, safety and sustainability standards.
What this means for your business:
- All contractors and suppliers are checked before working with us
- Alcumus reviews health and safety, sustainability, quality and risk management policies
- Only suppliers meeting these standards can deliver work worth over £30,000 including VAT
How you benefit:
- Pre-qualification for key policies
- Visibility alongside 400+ Alcumus-approved clients
- Support to get bid ready