Procurement cycle guide

11. Exemptions

Exemptions from going out to competition may be agreed for instances such as:

• CPR Ref 7.3.1 extreme urgency, where there is an immediate risk to life, property or an individual’s safety and wellbeing, and any inaction by the Council (related to risks to safety and wellbeing) would be a breach of our statutory duty and obligations.
• CPR Ref: 7.3.2 Significant reputational risk or where such an exemption is required to ensure continuity or to safeguard the Councils interests.
• CPR Ref: 7.3.3 Where there is genuinely only one approved supplier, such as for works of art, copy right material, or unique technology, where no reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the procurement.
• CPR Ref: 7.3.4 The selection of a supplier whose usage is a condition of a Grant funding approval.
• CPR Ref: 7.3.5 The selection of a supplier on the instruction of a third party, providing the whole of the funding is met by the third party.
• The agreement of the Procurement Manager must be sought prior to any action being taken except where the nature of the urgency and risk renders this impractical.

Where you feel your requirement may fall into one of the above Exemptions, please liaise with the procurement team who will advise you further. A form similar to the WARN form may be required to be completed to record this decision and the contract may still be subject to a signed contract and data security etc which you will be advised on.

Contact Procurement

Corporate Procurement Team