42 New Road, Wye Valley

About the buyer

Buckinghamshire Council buys as a local authority, with buying decisions devolved to its individual business units. Most tenders are advertised on the council's In-tend portal, where registration is free for suppliers. Larger opportunities also appear on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder, the two national publishing services. Framework routes include the Crown Commercial Service and regional purchasing consortia such as the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation. Smaller works contracts often go through Constructionline, where suppliers register their qualifications. A central procurement team gives specialist tendering advice to business units across the council.

UK local government drives £140bn in annual procurement, led by social protection (£66.6bn) and education (£57.1bn).

Over the past 5 years, most of Buckinghamshire Council's contract awards have been in transport services, construction work and health and social work.