Umbrella

About the buyer

London Borough of Hounslow buys as a local authority, running contracts for goods, works and services through its own procurement team. Suppliers register for tendering opportunities through the London Tenders Portal. Larger contracts are also advertised on Find a Tender, with Contracts Finder used for smaller opportunities. Procurement follows the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the council's own contract procedure rules. Competitions run as open, restricted or negotiated processes, with competitive dialogue used for complex requirements. Contracts span child care, elderly and disability services, IT, cleaning and catering, utilities and building works.

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 London Borough of Hounslow's contract awards have been in construction work, architectural and engineering services and health and social work.