We have now started to use an e-procurement portal called The Chest (external link) enabling suppliers to source and tender for public sector contracts via a single dedicated portal. This has now replaced our own website as the principal source for the advertisement of new tenders. The portal is used by all authorities based in Greater Manchester plus a number of other public sector organisations based in the north west of England. It is our intention to run our tender processes electronically as far as possible using this system to increase efficiency and transparency.
All opportunities can be browsed on The Chest by clicking on ‘Current Opportunities’ on the home page. We would encourage all interested suppliers who have not already done so to register online at this site via the ‘Suppliers’ Area’ to enable e-mail updates to be received on opportunities matching your areas of supply.
You will find full details of how to register, login and manage your account including user guides on The Chest. We have also produced our own quick guides on Registering as a Supplier (.pdf, 15kb) and Submitting a Tender Response (.pdf, 22kb) which you may find helpful. Note that registering as a supplier on The Chest is free of charge.
Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO)
We also procure goods and services through the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO). With nearly 30,000 active customers, YPO is a one-stop shop for local authorities and schools across the whole of the UK.
Suppliers who wish to supply their goods or services through YPO can keep up to date with contract opportunities via the YPO Tendering Supplier Portal (external link). Accessing the portal will allow suppliers to view and donwload tender documents for advertised supply opportunities, submit responses quickly and easily and receive confirmation of submitted documentation.
