Oldham Council spends in the region of £230m each year on supplies and services, creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes to work with the Council and support the delivery of public services across the borough.
The Council’s procurement activities are undertaken in accordance with its Constitution and relevant legislative requirements, including the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations, and where applicable, the NHS Provider Selection Regime for healthcare services. The Council is committed to securing best value, encouraging fair and open competition, maximising social value outcomes, and maintaining transparency throughout the procurement process.
Register for contract opportunities
The Council advertises procurement opportunities electronically through The Chest procurement portal.
Through The Chest, suppliers can:
- View current contract opportunities
- Receive alerts for relevant opportunities
- Access procurement documentation
- Submit tenders electronically
Find a Tender
The UK Government's Find a Tender service is the central digital platform for public procurement. Under the Procurement Act 2023, contracting authorities such as Oldham Council publish procurement notices and other required information. The service allows suppliers to register, manage core organisational information and search for procurement opportunities across the public sector.
A notice published by Oldham Council on Find a Tender will typically direct the reader to The Chest, for example, to access the procurement documents.
Find a Tender service is free to use and provides visibility of public procurement activity throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Contracts Register
View published contracts using the Contract Register portal:
Narrow your search results by using the ‘Organisations’ drop-down menu on the left side and scroll to select ‘Oldham Council’. Then click the ‘Update’ button.
Our Approach to Procurement
Oldham Council seeks to:
- Achieve value for money for residents and taxpayers
- Procure goods, works and services in a fair, transparent and proportionate manner
- Support local economic growth and opportunities for SMEs, VCSEs and local businesses
- Deliver measurable social value through procurement activity
- Support environmental sustainability and the Council's wider strategic objectives
- Promote ethical and responsible procurement practices
- Encourage innovation and continuous improvement
- Comply with all relevant procurement legislation and regulations
Tendering procedures
The procurement route adopted by the Council will depend on the nature, value, complexity and strategic importance of the requirement.
Procurements Subject to the Procurement Act 2023
Where the estimated contract value meets the relevant thresholds and the Procurement Act 2023 applies, the Council will conduct procurements in accordance with the Act and associated regulations. Depending on the requirement, the Council may use a range of procurement procedures, including:
Open procedure
A single-stage procurement process in which any interested supplier may submit a tender.
Competitive flexible procedure
A flexible procedure that allows the Council to design a procurement process appropriate to the specific requirement. This may include stages such as supplier selection, dialogue, negotiation, presentations, demonstrations or other evaluation activities where appropriate.
Direct award
In limited permitted circumstances, a contract may be awarded without a competitive procurement process.
Details of the procurement process being used will be clearly stated within the procurement documentation for each opportunity.
Below-threshold procurements
The Procurement Act 2023 sets out distinct requirements for contracts below the relevant procurement thresholds. These procurements are subject to a lighter regulatory regime than above-threshold (covered) procurements.
The Council will undertake such procurement exercises in accordance with these requirements, its Constitution which includes its Contract Procedure Rules, determining the appropriate procurement route based on the estimated value, risk, market conditions and nature of the requirement.
Healthcare services procurements
Where healthcare services fall within the scope of the NHS Provider Selection Regime, including relevant Public Health services, the Council will follow the requirements of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 rather than the Procurement Act 2023. Procurements will be conducted using the appropriate PSR provider selection route in accordance with the regulations.
Social value
Oldham Council is committed to ensuring that procurement activity creates wider economic, social and environmental benefits for residents and communities.
Suppliers should consider how they can contribute to:
- Employment, skills and apprenticeships
- Local economic growth and supply chain development
- Environmental sustainability and carbon reduction
- Community wellbeing, health and resilience
- Equality, diversity, inclusion and social mobility
- Support for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations
- Innovation, collaboration and social impact
It is integral to build a deep understanding of the economic, social and environmental needs of an area in order to make Social Value meaningful. The Oldham Social Value Hub hosts all of the insights, policies and resources that can inform Social Value delivery in one place.
Social Value will form part of the tender requirements for many procurements, depending on the nature, value and complexity of the Council's requirement. Where applicable, the Social Value requirements and evaluation approach will be clearly set out in the procurement documentation.
Supplier selection
Tender submissions will be evaluated using criteria relevant to the specific procurement and clearly set out within the procurement documents.
Evaluation may include consideration of:
- Quality
- Price and whole-life value
- Technical capability
- Relevant experience
- Delivery methodology
- Risk management
- Social Value commitments
- Sustainability and environmental performance
Suppliers may also be assessed against exclusion and debarment provisions and other conditions for participation.
Purchase orders and invoicing
Oldham Council operates a No Purchase Order No Pay policy.
The issue of a Purchase Order (PO) confirms that expenditure for the goods, works or services has been properly authorised.
Suppliers must not accept verbal or written instruction to supply goods, works or services from any member of staff unless provided with a valid PO number.
Invoice requirements
A valid Purchase Order (PO)number must be quoted on all invoices, otherwise, the invoice will be returned, and payment will not be processed until a compliant invoice has been submitted. You can get the PO number from the Council employee who requested/instructed the goods, works or services.
To ensure timely processing and payment all invoices should:
- Quote a valid Purchase Order number
- Be addressed to: Oldham Council, Spindles Shopping Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF
- Be sent by email to: AgressoAccountsPayableReception@oldham.gov.uk as a PDF attachment
- Show your name and address, and if you are VAT registered, quote your VAT registration number
Standard payment terms
30 days from receipt of a valid invoice.
Checking the status of your invoice
If you want to check the current status of your invoice please refer back to the departmental contact on the Purchase Order provided to you.
Purchase order terms and conditions
Oldham Council's purchase order terms and conditions apply to all purchases unless alternative contractual arrangements have been agreed and documented.