Supplier zone
How does the Museum of London procure Goods, Services and Works?
Buyer profile
The Museum of London comprises the Museum of London at London Wall, the Museum of London Docklands on West India Quay and the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC), located in Mortimer Wheeler House in Hackney.
The Museum of London is registered with the Charity Commission and is officially a registered charity. The Museum of London’s charity number is 1139250.
The Museum of London is funded by a variety of organisations and individuals. Our main funders are the City of London and the Greater London Authority. Since it is financed for the most part by local authorities; the Museum of London is subject to both EU Procurement Directives and the UK Public Contracts Regulations 2006. Procurement activities must also comply with the Museum of London’s Financial Regulations and Procurement Policy.
European procurement legislation
All public sector contracts no matter what their value within the European Union are covered by a treaty which incorporates the free movement of goods and services and which prevents discrimination against firms on the grounds of nationality.
The principles of the treaty are backed up by a series of EU Procurement Directives. The Museum of London is subject to these Directives.
The Procurement Directives for tendering take effect for contracts over the following thresholds:
(As from 01 January 2012)
Goods - £173,934
Services - £173,934
Works - £4,348,350
UK procurement legislation
The Public Contracts Regulations 2006 regulates the purchasing by public sector bodies of contracts for goods, works or services. The Regulations are designed to open up the EU's public procurement market to competition and to promote the free movement of goods and services within the EU.
The Public Contracts Regulations 2006 can be found on the Government’s Legislation website by following this link:
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/5/pdfs/uksi_20060005_en.pdf (external link)
Local rules
Procurement activities must also comply with the Museum of London’s Financial Regulations and Procurement Policy. These are the Museum of London’s own internal rules that govern its operations.
The Following table details the procedures to follow subject to the total value of the contract:
£0.00 - £2,000.00
Minimum requirement: Obtain one quotation
Although there is no need for formal competition, buyers are required to seek best possible Value for Money.
Obtain an alternative quote or use a supplier available to the Museum through a framework agreement.
£2,001.00 - £15,000.00
Minimum requirement: Obtain two quotations
This should be formal (e.g. written quotes, purchase orders/exchange of letters confirming terms and conditions etc.). Ideally quotations/pitches/tenders should be submitted in electronic format
£15,001 - £50,000 for Goods/Services
Minimum requirement: Obtain three quotations
This should be formal (e.g. written quotes, purchase orders/exchange of letters confirming terms and conditions etc.).Ideally quotations/pitches/tenders should be submitted in electronic format
£15,001 - £100,000 for Works
Minimum requirement: Obtain three quotations
Good practice guidance suggests obtaining quotations from suppliers available through framework agreements. Following this process reduces potential risk to the Museum.
£50,001 - EU Thresholds¹ for Goods and Services
Minimum requirement: Obtain three formal tenders
The need for a 'full' formal tendering process can be omitted by conducting a 'mini competition' within available framework agreements. Following this process saves a lot of time and resources. It also reduces potential risk to the Museum.
£100,001 - EU Thresholds¹ for Works
Minimum requirement: Obtain three formal tenders
The need for a 'full' formal tendering process can be omitted by conducting a 'mini competition' within available framework agreements. Following this process saves a lot of time and resources. It also reduces potential risk to the Museum.
Close to or Over the EU Thresholds¹
Minimum requirement: Advertise contract in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
In accordance with EU Regulations, Procurements which exceed certain values must be advertised in OJEU and the tender process must comply with the EU Procurement Directives.
The need for advertising in OJEU can be omitted by conducting a 'mini competition' within available framework agreements. Following this process saves a lot of time and resources. It also reduces potential risk to the Museum.
Contact
Please do not hesitate to contact the Procurement Advisor with any queries and/or comments either by email to procurement@museumoflondon.org.uk or by calling 020 7814 5755.
¹ EU Thresholds (As from 01 January 2012)
Goods - £173,934
Services - £173,934
Works - £4,348,350
