Procurement Using Public Funding
As a publicly-funded organisation, Historic England and the recipients of our grants must follow procurement processes that ensure that we achieve value for public money and follow a transparent process.
How we spend public money
Procurement is the process of finding and buying works, equipment, goods and services. As a publicly funded organisation, Historic England must ensure that all the procurement we finance, whether directly or indirectly, is spent appropriately and in line (in varying degrees) with the Procurement Act 2023 (‘the Act’). This is to ensure that we achieve value for public money in a fair and transparent manner.
There are 2 ways in which we spend public money:
- Direct spending through tendered projects and requirements, using Historic England's e-procurement portal
The full weight of the Act applies to these contracts. This is the procurement of general goods, services, and works which allow us to do what we do as an organisation. For information on how we do this and how suppliers can apply for these contracts, see our page on procurement - Indirect spending of public funding by third parties on grant-aided projects
Although not being spent directly by Historic England, grant recipients are expected to follow the Act and must demonstrate that value for money will be achieved. Information about grants can be found on our page about our grant schemes
Procurement using public funding
Direct public expenditure is subject to additional standards within the Act and as set out in the National Procurement Policy statement. The strategic priorities for public procurement are to deliver value for money, including social and economic value to drive sustainable economic growth and benefit local communities. Grant recipients should be aware of these priorities and consider them when spending public money.
How this applies to grant recipient procurement
By spending public funding, grant recipients must follow the Act and, therefore, have to appoint their main professional adviser and building contractor transparently. This will, where appropriate, involve advertising the work in advance and running a competitive process.
We encourage all grant recipients to follow the approach recommended in these pages. This will ensure that you can demonstrate value for money and by a transparent process regardless of the level of the grant, as well as comply with the Act for those projects they cover.
Please note that it is a condition of our grants that the procurement strategy should be agreed by us before tenders are sought.
Next steps
To help you carry out the procurement for your project, you can learn more here:
However, the suggested formats and methods on these pages are not the only ways to comply with the Procurement Act. If you are in any doubt, please contact your local Historic England office.
Procurement rules and thresholds may be subject to change. If so, these web pages will be updated. Where any guidance here conflicts with the Guidance for Grant Recipients leaflet annexed to your grant offer, please treat these web pages as our most up-to-date guidance.
Local authorities and public bodies
Historic England can give grants to local authorities or other public bodies. According to the Act, they are considered 'contracting authorities' and must comply with the Act. Written confirmation of compliance (including the appropriate thresholds and the local authority's Finance Manual) will be required.