The NPIA, as part of the Home Office Group, implemented this policy in line with the Home Office when the Agency was formed in April 2007.  Although the policy has always been in place the enforcement is now being driven to improve efficiency in the Agency's Purchase to Pay (P2P) process and drive compliance through the approved procurement channels.

The NPIA Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) requires a valid PO number to support the finance reconciliation process.

Unless contractually agreed otherwise the NPIA payment terms are 30 days from receipt of a valid invoice or goods/service whichever is the latter.

Invoices without a valid PO number, other than the categories recognised by NPIA as an exception, will not be processed or paid until a valid PO number is quoted by the supplier. This may therefore delay payment.

We are formalising our procurement and finance processes in order to support a more efficient P2P process and as such from 1st February 2010 all financial commitments made by the business need to be generated using a PO unless otherwise specified by NPIA. Any unauthorised transactions made outside of the approved process will not be recognised and subsequently may mean a delay in payment.

As part of the existing policy, 'No PO No Pay' is being fully enforced to drive compliance and ensure all financial commitment by the business is approved in advance and within budgets.  Those invoices without valid PO numbers, other than the categories recognised by NPIA as an exception, will not be processed or paid until a valid PO number is quoted by the supplier.

NPIA's typical PO numbering sequence would be shown as 45xxxxxxxx

You should be able to obtain a valid PO number from your contact within the NPIA that has provided you with an instruction for your goods/service.  You should then enter your PO number on your invoice prior to submission to NPIA Accounts Payable.  All invoices should then be sent directly to:

NPIA Accounts Payable, Bramshill, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 0JW

NPIA will always endeavour to maintain data as accurately as possible so if you need to advise of any changes please inform your usual NPIA business contact in the first instance. Due to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 we need to record your formal authorisation to amend your records and as such ask that all changes be confirmed in writing (email accepted) to maintain compliance and meet with audit requirements.