eSourcing is the use of secure web-based collaborative tools by procurement professionals and suppliers to conduct strategic activities, such as tendering, evaluation and contract management. The eSourcing portal provides links to:

• User registration - enables suppliers to register and express an interest in a procurement opportunity.
• Opportunities - enables suppliers to search for Home Office procurement opportunities. 
• Pre-Assessment portal - enabling companies to complete and submit a pre-assessment questionnaire. 
• Participate in tendering activities, downloading, completing and submitting proposals. 
• Visit the eSourcing website for more detailed Frequently Asked Questions on eSourcing.

Our policies are consistent with EU procurement directives and the Government's value for money policy. Value for money is defined as the optimum combination of whole life costs and quality to meet the customer's requirement. We take into account all aspects of cost including running and disposal costs as well as initial purchase price.

All procurement requirements are acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons (such as an emergency situation) to do otherwise. All single tenders are subject to close monitoring, reporting and review by The National Audit Office. All requirements that exceed the EU procurement directives' financial thresholds are advertised in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) via contract notices. The contract notice allows expressions of interest in any of the proposals advertised.

The EU procurement directives' financial thresholds are revised periodically. View the current thresholds via the HM Treasury website.

Further information about EU procurement directives and regulations can be found on the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) website or from your nearest Euro Information Centre.

It is government policy to encourage Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Black Minority Ethnic Suppliers (BMEs) and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS).

We recognise the important contribution these organisations make to the economy and local communities. Our aim is to enhance opportunities for these organisations wherever possible and when consistent with value for money and the need to treat all suppliers fairly under EU Regulations.

We buy a wide and diverse range of goods and services as consistent with a large organisation.

We also buy a wide range of goods and services in collaboration with Police Forces across the UK

Those staff assigned appropriate procurement authority within the Commercial and Procurement Unit.

An acceptance letter or contract document is sent to the successful tenderer and letters of decline are sent to those that are unsuccessful.

If the Tender is above the EU threshold the Alcatel Standstill period shall apply (minimum 10 days). A provisional acceptance letter will be sent together with letters of decline. A contract document will only be issued after the Alcatel Standstill period.

The NPIA buyer will notify all parties of the outcome of the tender exercise.

The NPIA aims to promote the use and development of scientific and technical innovations that target specific policing needs and meet strategic objectives. We want to enable excellent, modern policing through the deployment of future-focussed technology.

We encourage suppliers and researchers to approach us with innovative technologies that have the potential to improve policing. See our page on innovation for further information.

The NPIA website is regularly updated with information on all of our current and future requirements/opportunities as well as the latest information of the ISIS strategy. We would advise that you refer to the ISIS section of the website for any requirements related to this Programme.

The NPIA ISIS team requires potential suppliers to engage with them through the Intellect Forum. The ISIS team meets with suppliers from the Intellect Forum on a regular basis. Find out more about Intellect.

Yes, all suppliers are given a formal Purchase Order generated by the NPIA Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System.

Suppliers should not provide goods or services unless a valid purchase order has been received or an alternative method has been formally agreed.

Many of our contracts are under 'Framework Agreements' where the terms and conditions, prices, and range of items are specified but not the quantities or dates required. Under these agreements separate purchase orders have to be raised to specify what is required and when.

For other areas such as capital building works a separate contract is agreed between the two parties and a purchase order is then issued referring to the contract; this acts as a mechanism for the invoice to be paid.

30 days (unless amended by formal contractual agreement) on receipt of a correct invoice or receipt of satisfactory goods or service. See the standard NPIA Terms & Conditions as a guide.

All invoices must include the NPIA Purchase Order number and be sent to:

Accounts Payable
National Policing Improvement Agency
Bramshill, Hook
Hants
RG27 0JW

Please telephone Accounts Payable on 08456 524 242. Please ensure that you quote the purchase order number to assist the Accounts Payable people to resolve your query.

Your invoice will be returned to the supplier if it does not quote a valid purchase order number. The original invoice is held on file.

If you are unable to obtain a valid purchase order number from your NPIA contact then you must contact the person who you supplied the goods or services to.

GPC stands for Government Procurement Card. It is a Visa-branded card that can be used with suppliers that accept Visa. The GPC is generally used to purchase and pay for low value transactions. Commitments are made in the same way as using a normal Visa card.

See the following web site for more information: http://www.purchasingcard.info/

If you are not already a 'Visa' enabled supplier, you should contact Barclaycard Merchant Services on 0800 616161, who will arrange for you to be 'signed up' as being able to accept a commitment using a Visa card.