TSA Procurement
Telecare Services Association (TSA) Procurement Guidance
TSA has a stated policy in terms of its procurement activity. This covers from the purchase of routine supplies or services, to formal tendering and placing contracts for large infrastructure projects.
The primary role of the procurement function is to:
- ensure that business needs are met through its procurement of goods, services and works
- contribute to the aims and objectives of the organisation, as detailed in its business plan
- pro-actively manage and develop the supplier base, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and third sector and voluntary sector organisations, identifying and managing any supply risks or value add opportunities
- ensure that value for money is achieved
- manage supplier relationships, including responding to suppliers' complaints
- manage commercial relationships
- manage procurement competitions
- manage the award of contracts
Value for money
The overarching aim of TSA procurement activity is the achievement of value for money (vfm) for the membership. Vfm is defined as the optimum combination of whole-life cost and quality (or fitness for purpose) to meet the user's requirement. TSA's policy is to award contracts on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender.
Ethical standards
In all dealings with suppliers and potential suppliers, TSA will maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity. In particular it will:
- be fair, efficient, firm and courteous
- maintain the highest possible standard of integrity in all business relationships
- acquire and maintain current technical knowledge
- foster appropriate standards of professional competence amongst those for whom they are responsible
- comply with the law, guidance on professional practice and contractual obligations
- declare any personal interest which may affect or may be seen by others to affect impartiality
- respect the confidentiality of information received in the course of duty and ensure that information given in the course of duty is honest and clear
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest is any situation in which a TSA Director or employee's personal interests, or interests that they owe to another body, may (or may appear to) influence or affect the individual's decision making.
Where a TSA Director or employee is subject to a conflict of interest they will be:
- Not participate in the scrutiny of tender bids or quotes for goods or services
- Not participate in the selection or interview process of third party organisations
- Not participate in any decisions involving goods or services being secured from third party organisations
- Not have any involvement in the monitoring of the contract or performance of the contractor/supplier
- Not authorise payments to the third party
TSA will maintain a register of interests that will be regularly updated and reviewed at least annually.
Copies of full procurement policy are available to TSA members on request.
