Glossary of Terms                  T to Z

 

Tender 

An official written offer to an invitation that contains a costed proposal to perform the works, services or supplies required, and is provided in response to a tendering exercise. This normally involves submission of the offer in a sealed envelope to a specified address by a specified time and date.

 

Tender documents

Documents provided to prospective tenderers when they are invited to tender and that form the basis on which tenders are submitted, including instructions to tenderers, contract conditions, specification, pricing document, form of tender and the responses from tenderers.

 

Tender evaluation panel

A group of people who analyse tenders received and make final recommendations on the award of contracts.

 

TUPE regulations

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (as amended from time to time) implementing the Acquired Rights Directive on the acquired rights of workers.

 

Two stage selective tendering 

See “restricted procedure”.

 

Value for money

The provision of the right goods and services from the right source, of the right quality, at the right time, delivered to the right place and at the right price (judged on whole-life costs and not simply initial costs).

 

Variants

Tenders that meet minimum specifications but vary in technical terms. May be allowed by a contracting authority where award criterion is that of most economically advantageous tender.

 

Voluntary and community organisation (VCO) 

A general term used to refer to registered charities, non-charitable non-profit organisations, associations, self-help group and community groups.

 

Waiver 

An authorised departure from the Local Authority Contract Standing Orders. This may only be applied with limited application.

 

Whole life costs 

The systematic consideration of all relevant costs and revenues associated with the acquisition and ownership of an asset.

 

Works 

Building, construction and engineering related works. Those that have a value exceeding the current threshold defined by the EU rules will be subject to the European tendering requirements. Standing Orders may have different values covering works, services or supplies.