Column Survey and refurbishment Bank Plain, Norwich. Cast iron works on street lighting columns

About the buyer

Norfolk County Council runs local government services across Norfolk and buys as a local authority open to suppliers of every size. Suppliers register an account on In-Tend, the council's electronic tendering system. Each opportunity carries a PIN that suppliers use to express interest before bidding. Larger opportunities are advertised nationally on Find a Tender, with smaller notices published on Contracts Finder. Many goods and services are bought through framework agreements run by the Crown Commercial Service and ESPO. Suppliers can also apply directly to those framework agreements alongside the council's own tenders.

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 Norfolk County Council's contract awards have been in health and social work, transport services and construction work.