FCO Procurement – Policy Initiatives

Sustainability

The Corporate Procurement Group in the Foreign and Commonweath Office has published a Sustainable Procurement Strategy which details how Procurement will deliver value for money in its contracting for goods and services whilst also delivering benefit in sustainable terms, in the categories of environmental, economic and social. The Strategy is aligned with Foreign and Commonweath Office Policy priorities and contains a number of case studies. An ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is in operation at the London and Hanslope Park sites.

Innovation

Sucessful delivery of sustainable benefit is dependant on the Foreign and Commonweath Offices openness to innovative proposals from Suppliers.  FCO Procurement has published an Innovation Strategy and Plan to indicate how we seek Innovation from Suppliers and also use it to improve the efficiency of procurement processes. The Plan also refers to the need to embed Innovation in all stages of the Procurement Cycle so for example it addresses how it is part of our ongoing development of Supplier Relationship Management.

Transparency 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will provide access to information on its procurement spend and contract opportunities under the auspices of the cross Government Transparency Agenda.

Freedom of Information Act

Potential Suppliers can access information about our procurement opportunities and procedures under the Freedom of Information Act. 

Further information

The Cabinet Office Efficiency and Reform Group (formerly OGC) provide guidance for suppliers wanting to do business with Government Departments.  The 'Supplying Government' section has information on bidding for Government contracts, contract information and advertised contract opportunities.

Important Note:

• Due to the diversity and scope of our procurement across all of our worldwide offices this is not a complete or comprehensive list of every opportunity.  With approximately 200 offices it would not be possible to publish every opportunity below the prevailing EU Procurement Regulations thresholds.
• If you are interested in supplying goods or services to the FCO, for any of the above that fall into opportunities

(1)  above the EU threshold then the application process stated in the OJEU should be followed
(2) below the EU threshold, or just keen to register interest in being considered for any of our typical categories, please complete a Supplier Interest Form and email it to CPG .

• The SIF seeks information from interested suppliers that will demonstrate to FCO that they have sufficient presence, capability, capacity and track record to effectively deliver/provide the supplies/services in the specific geographic locations of interest.  
• The information will be held centrally, and copies passed to the relevant category teams.  The FCO will review the list on a regular basis, and registering interest does not necessarily mean the supplier will be included in any future opportunity.