Spend levels

Procurement is the process of acquiring goods, services, and works. This is the process, from identifying our requirements, managing the contract through to the end of a contract. It involves early stakeholder engagement, assessing the impact on relationships with internal and external services, options appraisal, and determining the appropriate route to market. 

Generally, the value of a contract determines the procedure which the Council must follow when letting a contract.  

The total estimated value will dictate whether the Council must follow its own internal rules or whether the public sector procurement legislation must be followed. 

Contract standing orders

The Council's Contract Standing Orders forms part of the Council's Constitution. Contract Standing Orders set out the spend levels and the approach to be followed when there is a requirement for the Council to purchase any goods, service or works.

• Isle of Wight Council Contract Standing Orders - February 2025 onwards (PDF, 510KB)
  
• Isle of Wight Council constitution 

Typically, the Council will either purchase goods, services or works through an established framework set up in line with the legislation or through a competitive tender process.  

Public Sector procurement legislation

The main public sector procurement legislation is covered by the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024. 

This legislation is essentially designed to ensure that any Supplier has a fair and equal opportunity to compete for any public sector contract. 

The Government sets the thresholds which require full compliance with the procurement legislation and the current levels can be found in the below link

• Procurement legislation thresholds

Public Review Unit 

The Council is committed to maintaining high standards in how we conduct our procurement and contract activity. 

However, if you feel these standards have not been met then Suppliers or other interested parties can look to raise any issues or concerns these can be raised with the Government’s Procurement Review Unit. 

• Government Procurement Review Unit

The service is completely independent of the Council. Once a concern is raised the Procurement Review Unit will work with the Council to resolve concerns. 

One thing we would ask, if you do feel the need to contact the independent Procurement Review Unit, before doing so, contact the Council’s Procurement Team 

Email: procurement@iow.gov.uk

This may give us a chance to resolve your issue first. 

 If you require any of the documents provided on this page in an alternative format, please contact our service for assistance.