ESPO operates in the same manner as major commercial and industrial buying organisations. All procurement is managed within specialist buying teams staffed by professionally qualified buyers, many with industrial and commercial experience and knowledge of the markets.

 

The majority of contracts are of a value where we are required by EU and/or UK regulations to subject them to a competitive tender process. Adverts are placed in the OJEU - European Journal (http://ted.europa.eu/TED/misc/aboutTed.do and/or www.supply2.gov.uk and Contrax Weekly http://www.contraxonline.com/.  Companies looking to supply ESPO and other bodies in the Public Sector are advised to monitor these web sites, or register with website tracking agencies and apply for documents on each and every relevant occasion. Additionally, all our tender opportunities are available for view on the ESPO website – Buyer Profile Section, which is updated daily (http://www.espo.org/index.asp?CMD=CTR).  Advertised contracts are open to all those who respond to the advert.

 

ESPO does not 'pre-register' companies or operate 'preferred supplier lists'.  Businesses in the Commodities supply market wishing to establish if ESPO operates a contract that encompasses their product or service offering, should first make contact with the Group Buyer of the relevant Buying Section (ESPO website - on Index, 'the team' then scroll down 'management team').  Such contracts are generally renewed on a regular basis and whilst we may make note of companies who approach us proactively, this does not constitute any form of 'approval' or automatic delivery of documents and to ensure participation in a tender process, companies must continue to monitor the above mentioned media and apply on each occasion.

 

Contracts on Strategic Procurement/Complex Service Provision are generally one-off requirements and advertised on behalf of our Member Authorities only as and when the need arises. 

 

If you offer a product or service that you feel may be of interest to  ESPO and are unsure as to the Buying Section to contact, Ian Cunningham, Contracts Administration Officer, will be pleased to advise you (direct tel:  0116 265 7926 or email: i.cunningham@espo.org).

 

Clink on the link below to download our leaflet ‘Working with Suppliers’ in pdf format, for further information on the supply chain process.

Working with suppliers