Procurement policy

5 key messages everyone should know about the Procurement Policy

1. A risk-based approach has been taken to the revised procurement thresholds with greater controls in place for higher value contracts. The table below shows the financial levels and the associated procedures to be followed:

2. Schools and Directorates are permitted to award commercial contracts for goods and services up to a total value of £50,000. If the total value of the contract (annual cost multiplied by the contract period in years) exceeds £50,000 then the contract must be awarded by Procurement. All works related contracts must be awarded by appropriately trained staff in Estates and Campus Services.
3. On commencement of the OneUniversity system, the University will introduce a ‘No PO, No Pay’ Policy. This will provide greater governance over purchasing transactions and will ultimately result in being able to make better financial decisions.
4. The SSJ (Single Source Justification) process has changed and has been replaced with an NCA (Non-Competitive Action) process. The new process involves a risk-based approach where higher value contracts and agreements which expose the University to greater risk require more scrutiny and are reported to senior management.
5. The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires a contract award notice to be placed on the Public Contracts Scotland web portal for all contracts with a total value in excess of £50,000. This potentially exposes the University to greater risk as all contracts including those awarded through a Non-Competitive Action will be publicised.