Procurement policy and strategy

Procurement strategy

The strategy sets out our approach to procurement activity which meets the needs of the authority and its key stakeholders in an economic, environmental and socially responsible manner, achieving value for money whilst promoting the long-term interests of the communities we represent.

• Procurement Strategy 2020-2024 (PDF, 6 MB)

Social Value in Procurement 2023 - 2025 Policy Statement

This policy provides an outline of our approach to implementing sustainable commissioning and procurement that promotes the long-term interests of the communities we represent, in line with the principles of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

Social Value in Procurement 2023-2025 Policy Statement (PDF, 201 KB)

Please view the video below to see an example of where our social value is benefitting local school children:

Social values transcript (PDF, 117 KB)

Sustainable buying standards

To further our commitment to sustainable procurement and delivering social value, we have established a range of Sustainable Buying Standards for various categories of products, works and services. These are intended to set out clear environmental, economic and social standards for relevant contracts. 

• Sustainable Buying Standard: Electrical Equipment (PDF, 281 KB)
• Sustainable Buying Standard: Food (PDF, 153 KB)
• Sustainable Buying Standard: Highways and Construction Materials (PDF, 172 KB)
• Sustainable Buying Standard: Textiles (PDF, 205 KB)
• Sustainable Buying Standard: Timber (PDF, 189 KB)

Healthy and Sustainable Food Policy

We have adopted a healthy and sustainable food policy (PDF, 1 MB), which sets out our intention to lead by example by offering healthy and sustainable good food to staff, clients and visitors.

DurhamLearn's Policy for Subcontracting 2024/25

This document sets out our policy for sub-contracting part of our Adult Education Budget funding; Adult Skills Fund and Tailored Learning. The North East Combined Authority (NECA) funding rules require providers who sub-contract their provision to publish a Supply Chain Fees and Charges Policy in the interests of transparency. This document will be of interest to DurhamLearn's existing sub-contracted providers as well as providers considering submitting a tender to us for the delivery of adult learning provision.

DurhamLearn Supply Chain Fees and Charges Policy 2024/25 (PDF, 233 KB)

Latest opportunities

Our latest contract opportunities are advertised on the ProContract system, available via NEPO. This system is used by all 12 councils in the North East to advertise tendering opportunities. Registering your organisation with NEPO is free of charge - simply click the 'Register as a supplier' link on the front page of the website and follow the instructions.

 North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) OPEN Portal