'Procurement' is the process we follow when purchasing works, goods and services. This term applies to all aspects of the purchasing process, from the identification of a need to purchase, to the end of the contract or useful life of the item.
Procurement activities include buying decisions such as option appraisal, tendering, contract creation and 'purchase to pay' processes.
We have a duty to work with our suppliers and deliver cost effective services to our residents which achieve best value.
We must work within legislation using procurement processes that are open to scrutiny and deliver Best Value.
Best Value means:
- choosing a supplier that offers the best balance between the whole life cost (from acquisition to disposal) of goods and services against predefined requirements;
- generating savings through corporate or collective action with other public bodies; and
- generating efficiency savings through streamlining the procurement process.
The performance of Argyll and Bute Council’s Procurement, Commercial and Contract Management Team is measured through a mixture of national best practice indicators that are applied across the public sector and our own performance measures which reflect those things unique and important to Argyll and Bute Council.
Performance in reported annually within the Annual Procurement Report.