Procurement and the voluntary sector

Organisations from the voluntary and community sector (VCS) are encouraged to bid for Council tenders and contracts that they feel match their capabilities. They will be treated fairly using the same procurement processes that we use for private companies. Any organisation wishing to bid for tenders or contracts should follow the procedures outlined in the Tenders and Contracts pages.

The Wirral Compact is the agreement between the wide range of statutory organisations in Wirral and the local voluntary and community sector to improve their relationship to benefit each other.

The Government Office of the Third Sector states that ‘third sector organisations of all sizes have a contribution to make to the design of and improvement of public services’.  The statutory sector together with the voluntary and community sector intend to realise this contribution. Through an innovative and informed grant funding and procurement process, the statutory sector will recognise the value that the VCS may bring to the delivery of its objectives. Through its independence, the VCS may also identify areas of need in a way that the structure of the public sector prevents it from doing.

There are two main funding mechanisms which the statutory sector may use to finance this support – grant giving and procurement. Each of these serves a different purpose and is appropriate in relevant circumstances. Traditional grant aid is generally accepted as being relevant in relation to smaller grants where there may be an element of capacity building required.