Working with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) welcomes interest from organisations wishing to supply goods, services and works to the Service.
We are committed to conducting our procurement activity in a fair, transparent and proportionate manner, providing suppliers with appropriate opportunities to compete while seeking value for money and the effective use of public funds.
Where to Find Our Opportunities
SFRS uses external procurement platforms to advertise and manage procurement opportunities where applicable.
Suppliers interested in working with us are encouraged to monitor the following:
- Find a Tender, the central government service for public procurement notices and opportunities. Find a Tender includes procurement opportunities, pipelines, contract information and commercial tools.
- Contracts Finder, which provides information about contract opportunities, future opportunities and previous tenders and contracts.
- West Mercia Police In-Tend e-procurement portal, which may be used to manage relevant SFRS procurement exercises and tender documentation.
Suppliers should follow the instructions provided for each individual opportunity and register on the relevant procurement platform where required.
Not every SFRS requirement will be advertised as a standalone open tender. Depending on the requirement, we may use framework agreements, dynamic markets, collaborative arrangements or other procurement routes permitted under applicable procurement legislation and governance requirements.
How to Do Business with Us
When responding to an SFRS procurement opportunity, suppliers should:
- Register on the procurement platform specified for the opportunity, where required.
- Read the procurement documentation carefully.
- Check that they can meet any stated conditions of participation or minimum requirements.
- Submit clarification questions through the communication route specified in the procurement documents.
- Respond to all relevant requirements.
- Submit their response through the specified system before the closing date and time.
The specific requirements, timetable and process applicable to each procurement will be set out in the relevant procurement documentation.
How We Evaluate Tenders
Each procurement will set out its own evaluation methodology and award criteria.
Depending on the requirement, these may consider factors such as:
- Price or cost
- Quality
- Technical requirements
- Delivery arrangements
- Social value
- Other criteria relevant to the requirement
Suppliers should refer to the procurement documentation for the specific criteria and weightings applicable to each opportunity.
Tender Outcomes and Feedback
Suppliers participating in procurement exercises will be notified of the outcome in accordance with the requirements applicable to that procurement. Where appropriate, SFRS will provide information to help suppliers understand the outcome of the evaluation process.
Frameworks and Other Procurement Routes
SFRS may use framework agreements, dynamic markets and other appropriate commercial arrangements where these provide a suitable route to market.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, a dynamic market is a list of qualified suppliers eligible to participate in future procurements and remains open to new suppliers to apply to join.
SFRS may also work collaboratively with other Fire and Rescue Services, emergency services, local authorities and other public sector organisations where appropriate.
As a result, not every SFRS requirement will result in a separate openly advertised tender exercise.
Supporting SMEs, VCSEs and Local Suppliers
SFRS welcomes engagement from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), local businesses and specialist providers.
We aim to make our procurement opportunities as accessible as possible and encourage participation from a diverse supplier base, while ensuring requirements remain appropriate and proportionate to the contract.
Introducing Your Organisation to SFRS
We welcome appropriate engagement from prospective suppliers who wish to introduce their organisation, products, services or potential solutions to SFRS.
This engagement does not guarantee a future procurement opportunity or provide any supplier with an advantage during a subsequent procurement process.
Where SFRS undertakes formal preliminary market engagement for a particular requirement, details and instructions will be provided through the appropriate procurement channels.
Future Opportunities
Suppliers can also review the SFRS Procurement Pipeline for information about planned procurement activity and potential future opportunities.
The Procurement Pipeline is indicative and may change as requirements develop. Publication of a requirement on the pipeline does not commit SFRS to commencing a procurement process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you hold an approved supplier list?
SFRS does not operate a general approved supplier list. Suppliers interested in working with us should monitor the relevant procurement platforms and published opportunities.
How do I find out when opportunities are available?
Suppliers should regularly monitor the procurement platforms listed above. Where available, suppliers can also use the notification or alert functions provided by those services. Contracts Finder, for example, allows users to create an account to receive email updates and save searches.
Does SFRS always advertise requirements openly?
No. Depending on the requirement and applicable procurement rules, SFRS may use existing framework agreements, dynamic markets, collaborative arrangements or other permitted procurement routes.
Can I introduce my organisation or services to SFRS?
Yes. We welcome appropriate engagement from prospective suppliers. However, supplier engagement does not guarantee that a procurement opportunity will arise or provide any supplier with an advantage in a subsequent procurement process.
How are tenders evaluated?
The evaluation methodology and award criteria will be set out in the procurement documents for each individual opportunity.
Where should I ask questions about a live tender?
Questions relating to a live procurement exercise should be submitted through the communication route specified in the relevant procurement documents.
Contact Procurement
For general procurement enquiries, supplier engagement and information about working with SFRS, please contact:
procurement@shropshirefire.gov.uk
For queries relating to a live procurement exercise, suppliers should use the communication route specified within the relevant procurement documents.