Procurement
If you are interested in working with us by becoming an Approved Contractor or supplying us with goods, services or other construction works, here is some information about our procurement process.
Our Procurement Principles
We are committed to always conduct our procurement activity with integrity, and in an honest, transparent and fair manner. Procurement undertaken by Advance Northumberland is done to ensure we achieve value for money while becoming a more sustainable business and delivering continuous improvement whilst complying to all relevant laws and regulations.
At Advance Northumberland we offer a range of services, including construction, property rentals, all aspects of building and facilities maintenance, and specialist business growth services. As such, we are procuring goods, services and works to support these activities all year round.
We are committed to always conduct our procurement activity with integrity, and in an honest, transparent and fair manner.
All procurement projects undertaken by Advance Northumberland ensure we achieve value for money while becoming a more sustainable business and delivering continuous improvement, whilst complying to all relevant laws and regulations. We must adhere to our Procurement Policy, approved by the Advance Northumberland Board. A copy of the full policy can be requested via our Publication Scheme. Alternatively, you can contact us at enquiries@advancenorthumberland.co.uk for more information.
Integrity
We deal with all suppliers with positivity and integrity.
Value for Money
All factors, such as relevant costs and benefits, risks and resources over the entirety of the product or service life-cycle will be relevant.
Confidentiality
Absolute confidentiality of all documents, reports, and data of a confidential or proprietary nature include pricing and bid content is maintained throughout.
Risk Management
Our procurement process recognises, evaluates and mitigates risks including the risks arising from security of supply and that contractors and consultants have the financial, commercial and technical ability to meet our requirements.
Objectivity
All decisions shall be taken on an objectively justifiable basis.
Efficiency
Where possible published timetables will be respected, and feedback to questions and award notifications will be sent in a timely manner.
Our Business Areas
Advance Northumberland Ltd
Advance Northumberland Ltd is a diverse property investment & development business, delivering opportunities to improve prosperity, tackle inequalities and drive economic growth in support of Northumberland County Council, focussing on regenerating Northumberland.
Advance Northumberland Homes Ltd
Advance Northumberland Homes is Northumberland largest private residential landlord, offering a range of outstanding properties across the region. We’re passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and offer accessibility and security for those wanting to rent good quality homes. We are committed to supporting tenants, responding quickly if things go wrong, valuing diversity and treating everyone fairly and with respect, being flexible in the way that we provide our services and building and maintaining our homes to a high standard.
Advance Northumberland Commercial Ltd
Advance Northumberland Commercial have a diverse portfolio of quality business accommodation to rent or buy, including industrial units, offices, business parks and fully managed workspaces. Our property sizes range from 200 sq ft to 45,000 sq ft and we offer a range of flexible occupational terms, together with a professional and efficient service from our team of chartered surveyors, customer service and maintenance.
Advance Northumberland Projects Ltd
Our project management capabilities are a critical component of the company's unique skills mix. The team manages the delivery of the investment and regeneration programmes from business inception through to operation. The development team comprises experienced project managers delivering a complex range of developments within challenging stakeholder environments across commercial, industrial, residential, leisure, health, transport and infrastructure sectors. Our project managers lead and manage the entire process including stakeholder strategy, consenting, development of the brief, technical design, procurement and implementation. Scope, programme, budget and risk form part of a strict project control regime. We troubleshoot, own and solve our own investment and our client’s project needs.
Advance Green Futures Ltd
Advance Green Futures is a sustainability company focusing on creating and enhancing habitats to improve biodiversity. We have been involved in initiatives such as establishing a habitat bank at Potland Burn, which aims to support sustainable development and comply with the Biodiversity Net Gain requirements introduced by the environment Act 2021. We are actively engaged in projects that focus on environmental benefits and biodiversity recovery and look to work with contractors that are dedicated to protecting natural ecosystems, preserving biodiversity and help to promote sustainable practices.
Supplying Us
Contracts at Advance Northumberland are awarded following a competitive quotation or tender process. The approach taken is determined by the estimated or known value of the goods, services or works. A summary of the different thresholds is set out below (the values quoted are all excluding VAT):
- Expenditure between £10,000 and £500,000 requires a minimum of 3 written quotations
- Expenditure between £500,001 to £1,000,000 where we have at least 3 Significant Approved Suppliers meeting our Minimum Quality Threshold, requires at least 3 written quotations
- Expenditure between £500,001 to £1,000,000 where we do not have a minimum of 3 Significant Approved Suppliers, requires an open tender process
- Expenditure above £1,000,000 requires an open tender process.
Future and Current Opportunities
Information on current live tenders can be found on the Pro Contract e-tendering portal. Visit Pro Contract
Tender and Selection Process
Quotations and tenders are evaluated against a pre-determined set of criteria, which will be stated in the Request for Quotation or Invitation to Tender pack. We aim to treat all suppliers fairly and consistently.
Social Value
Advance Northumberland are committed to ensuring and maintaining socially responsible behaviour within our organisation. We ask suppliers to demonstrate, where applicable, how they would:
- Promote local skills and employment improving the wellbeing and mental health of staff and the local community.
- Any other social value initiatives which will help rejuvenate the local area.
Minimum Quality Threshold
We require all suppliers to demonstrate minimum standards of capability, performance and plans, as appropriate to the procurement to be undertaken, of (as a minimum) the following matters:
- Safety
- Health
- Environmental
- Quality
- Insurance
- Subject matter competence
Combined, these make our Minimum Quality Threshold. We maintain a register of suppliers who satisfy the requirements of the Minimum Quality Threshold, and they are known as Approved Suppliers. Advance Northumberland will encourage wider participation from SMEs from the region, and from the area local to the intended project / activity. We will support positive engagement to assist potential suppliers to achieve our Minimum Quality Threshold.
For any questions and to request a Procurement Pack click here
Approved Suppliers and Significant Approved Suppliers
Each division of Advance Northumberland, including Ascent Homes, maintains an Approved Suppliers register. This comprises suppliers, contractors and consultants vetted to Advance Northumberland’s Minimum Quality Threshold standards including technical capability, financial, health and safety and insurance assessments.
The Approved Suppliers list gives reassurances to Advance Northumberland that a minimum standard has been met and saves contractors and consultants from having to resubmit information for tender packs. Being on our approved list does not guarantee any work, and companies can also be removed from the list if performance or probity become an issue or concern. The list is reviewed annually, and suppliers can be added or deleted as appropriate.
We also maintain a sub-register of Significant Approved Suppliers who are deemed competent and sufficiently financially robust to supply goods, services or works above £500,000. The sub-register of Significant Approved Suppliers is presented to the Audit Committee on an annual basis and thereafter to our Board for approval and sign off.