GLOSSARY

What does it mean – some of the terms you may find used in procurement –

1.                 Brokerage – the use of an intermediary to obtain goods/services. Brokers can provide impartial procurement/purchasing expertise and should obtain the best deal for a client.

2.                 Client – anyone employing a supplier/contractor/consultant for the provision of services, or using a supplier for the provision of goods.

3.                 Client Services – a global term used to describe the range of services which may be purchased, or “contracted out”, or outsourced; including building cleaning, grounds maintenance, catering provision, personnel services etc.

4.                 Collaboration – an arrangement under which council departments/schools operate together internally or with other councils/schools externally to procure goods/services. Combined buying-power can improve services and prices and share the administrative overhead.

5.                 e-Commerce – procurement by electronic means either through the Internet, or more commonly, by telephone using credit/debit or purchasing cards. E-Commerce is a government priority for public sector procurement.

6.                 Implied contract – a contract where the actions or conduct of two or more parties indicates an agreement which may be interpreted in law as being an actual contract.

7.                 Outsourcing – provision of an “in-house” service (something carried out within the Council) by an external “alternative” provider, freeing council staff to concentrate on core activities.

8.                 Service Level Agreement (SLA) – a document produced by a supplier/contractor/consultant setting out the range of services to be provided to the Council/school and the price for this, payment arrangements and rights of redress. It should be regarded as a contract except that it is not usually legally enforceable.

9.                 Specification – this sets out in detail the requirements of the Council/school for particular goods/services and should include “indicators” to enable judgements to be made as to whether performance standards are being met.

10.             Standing Orders – these are the rules and regulations every council department/school should have for the letting of contracts, tendering and quotation procedures and the values at which the scheme of delegation operates. At Bournemouth Borough Council the rules governing the council are called “Standing Orders” but for the letting of contracts, tendering and quotation procedures the rules are called “Contract Procedures”.

11.             Tenderer – a supplier/contractor/consultant who has expressed an interest in the provision of goods or services, or who is invited to express such an interest, to the Council/school.