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How we buy goods and services

We spend in excess of £1.6 billion of taxpayers' money annually on goods, services and works for the benefit of the communities and citizens of Kent. It is vital that this money is spent well by minimising costs and getting the best value for Kent residents whilst achieving the council’s strategic priorities.

Our Commercial and Procurement Division provides a responsive procurement service and commercial advice and guidance to the council. This includes running tendering exercises, finding the most appropriate suppliers, negotiating and awarding contracts and providing a Purchase to Pay service.

We are committed to helping Kent businesses grow and would encourage local providers to register on the Kent Business Portal to find out about competitive tendering opportunities relevant to their business.

The Central Digital Platform (CDP) is an online platform which makes it easier for suppliers to find and bid for contracts. As well for buyers to meet their transparency commitments under Procurement Act 2023. Suppliers must register on the CDP as it aims to enhance efficiency and transparency in the public procurement process. It does this by providing a fully integrated digital platform for:

  • notices
  • sign-in
  • registration
  • supplier information.

As with other public sector bodies, we must comply with public procurement regulations when buying goods, services, or works from third parties to make sure all procurement is carried out in a fair, open, and transparent manner. We also have our own policy, known as 'Spending the council's money' which has similar goals. The key aspects of this policy are set out below. The Commercial and Procurement Division ensures we are compliant with these rules.

Transactions and contracts

In accordance with 'spending the council’s money' policy , for contracts for more than £214,904 for goods and services and more than £1m for works , we will follow a formal tender process that is compliant with public procurement regulations.

For transactions for more than £25,000 but less than £214,904 for goods and services and less than £1m for works, we will seek at least three written quotations before a formal contract is entered into. We will undertake a competitive tendering process where this will help to achieve value for money.

For transactions below £25,000, we will seek at least one written quotation, which should represent value for money, before entering into the contract.

Contracts with a total purchase value above £25,000 will be advertised on the Find a Tender service database and the Kent Business Portal where they are subject to a competitive tendering process.

Contracts with a value between £25,000 and £214,904 for goods and services and £1m for works, where we seek at least three written quotations, may be advertised on the Kent Business Portal via a Request for Quotation (RFQ) process if we believe best or added value can be achieved by doing this.

Contracts that are for health care services are subject to a different set of rules, with such transactions regulated by the Provider Selection Regime. As such, where we are awarding contracts in this area, or that are otherwise subject to that regime, we will follow the procedures required under those regulations.

Suppliers can view our general terms and conditions for the supply of goods and services (PDF, 214.6 KB) that are typically applied below the public procurement thresholds.

Procurement Act 2023

Significant changes to public procurement regulations are due to come into force on 24 February 2025, with the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023.

Central government have created a short guide for suppliers on the Procurement Act 2023 which gives suppliers a brief overview of the new act.

Suppliers should assess how these changes will affect them whether they are an existing supplier to the council or are interested in working with us. Governments Official Transforming Public Procurement Knowledge Drops are short videos and guidance designed to provide a high-level overview of the changes to the procurement regulations.

There are a series of knowledge drops aimed specifically at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) who deliver contracts to the public sector or would like to do so in the future, which provide an overview of the act and explain how it may benefit SMEs and VCSEs.

For further information, read Benefits for Prospective Suppliers to the Public Sector from central government, which outlines how the new regime will deliver a range of benefits for suppliers of all sizes wishing to do business and deliver contracts to the public sector.

Visit GOV.UK to read more general information and guidance for suppliers.