Our objectives
Our procurement follows some key objectives:
- Obtaining maximum value for money in contracting for the goods and services that enable the department to deliver its business objectives;
- Enhancing the competitiveness of the supply base;
- 'Value for money' means the optimal combination of costs, service delivery and quality.
Open for e-business
We are particularly interested in lowering the cost of the procurement process; we are committed to doing business electronically for the benefit of all.
As a first step along this road, we use the Government Procurement Card (VISA) for low-value orders. We encourage suppliers to accept payment in this way - and it is likely to be a requirement for many future contracts.
Open for business with small firms
We are responsible for developing business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with up to 500 employees. 'Value for money' is the only deciding factor when we award contracts competitively but, given our wider responsibility, we strongly encourage SMEs to bid for the departmental contracts they believe they could fulfill.
Supply2.gov.uk is the first portal of call to consolidate access to lower-value opportunities from across the whole of the UK public sector. Supply2.gov.uk opens up the market to all types of business including small businesses, start-up companies and social enterprises to search and view open lower-value contract opportunities, typically under £100,000, and promote themselves to the UK public sector.
Supply2.gov.uk offers public sector buyers the opportunity to post their lower-value contract opportunities and access profiles of pre-qualification information created by suppliers registering on the site.
Help for SMEs
On 11 February 2011, Francis Maude, the Minister for the Cabinet Office announced a broad package of reforms designed to significantly open-up the public sector marketplace to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Full details can be found on the Cabinet Office: SME contracts web page.
A slide showing DECC's progress towards the Cabinet Office initiative to increase SME participation in Government contracts is available:
Prompt Payment
DECC aims to reduce invoice payment times to 10 working days and all valid goods and services invoices received are paid as soon as they have been authorised by the DECC officials responsible for the contract. We are applying this policy to all suppliers of goods and services but will not be changing our existing contractual terms and conditions.
Our website includes guidance for suppliers on the correct way to submit an invoice.
Prompt Payment of DECC Suppliers
Innovation Procurement Plan
All departments are required by the 'Innovation Nation' White Paper to prepare an Innovation Procurement Plan, setting out how they will drive innovation through procurement and use innovative procurement practices.
The DECC Innovation Procurement Plan below has been prepared with the assistance of BIS Procurement and with contributions from several areas of DECC.