A list of commonly used terms relating to procurement are available here for reference.
Glossary
- Bidding Framework
- This is dependant on the value and is the way in which the goods / works / services are procured.
- Contract Award Notice
- These must be published within 48 days of the award of contract irrespective of which directive or procedure has been used.
- EU Procurement Directive
- From OGC [see below]- The main new provisions aim to harmonise the standstill provisions between Member States and introduce ineffectiveness as a remedy for illegal direct awards, which are considered to be the most serious breach of the procurement rules.
- Framework Agreement
- Framework agreements are used for repeat purchases and are likely to be used when the timing of the purchase decision is uncertain or quantities required are unclear. Such agreements can be with one or more suppliers
- ITT
- Invitation to Tender. An ITT is a formal invitation to suppliers, which invites suppliers to bid in competition for goods/services, which have been assessed and approved under prequalification and meet Link Group’s stated specification/requirements.
- MEAT
- Most Economically Advantageous Tender. The Most Economically Advantageous Tender is one that has the lowest evaluated cost and not necessarily the lowest submitted price. The criteria which the authority may use to determine that an offer is the most economically advantageous include delivery date, running costs, cost effectiveness, quality, aesthetic and functional characteristics, technical merit, after sales service, technical assistance and price.
- OJEU
- Official Journal of the European Union. This publication is where the project advert or tender will appear.
- PIN
- PIN or Prior Information Notices (also known as an Indicative Notice). The Prior Information Notice (PIN) is the annual or occasional advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union, advising the contracting community of Link's future procurement plans. PINs are intended to ensure that interested parties have as much time as possible to prepare for participation.
- PQQ
- Pre Qualification Questionnaire. The purpose of a PQQ is to pre-qualify tenderers for commercial, technical and qualitative competence and to assist in developing the specification of requirements and mutually acceptable outline terms and conditions of contract.
- Purchase Order
- A purchase order (PO) is a commercial document issued by a buyer to a seller, indicating types, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services the seller will provide to the buyer. Sending a PO to a supplier constitutes a legal offer to buy products or services. Acceptance of a PO by a seller usually forms a once-off contract between the buyer and seller, so no contract exists until the PO is accepted.
- Quality Value Assessment
- This is when tenders are assessed within a quality and price scoring assessment to award a successful tender.
- RFQ
- Request for Quotation
- Supplier
- The person or company the Buyer is procuring works, services or supplies from.
- VFM
- Value for Money
- Tender Notice
- Giving details of the project or requirement. Calling for tenders or expressions of interest.
- Standing Orders
- Standing Orders set out Link’s Board and Subsidiaries Committee Structure, their respective powers and authority and Link’s Financial and Employment practices.