Electronic procurement
Where possible the Council endeavours to use electronic processes throughout its procurement and payment functions. Details of the systems in use are below.
Electronic tendering & quoting
The Council uses an electronic tendering system (Pro Contract) to issue and receive all of its quotation and tender documents. Registration on the South East Business Portal gives businesses automatic access to Pro Contract.
The electronic process
Companies that express an interest in an opportunity will be issued with email notifications at all steps of the quotation or tender process.
For quotations and tenders the process is as follows;
- Businesses expresses an interest in the opportunity on the South East Business Portal
- Business receives confirmation of expression of interest via email
- Business receives second email inviting them to view either a PQQ (pre qulification questionnaire), an RFQ (request for quote) or an ITT (invitation to tender)
- Business logs onto Pro Contract using the South East Business Portal username and password, following link from email and downloads PQQ, RFQ or ITT
- Business completes PQQ, RFQ or ITT
- Business uploads PQQ, RFQ or ITT back onto Pro Contract
- Business receives confirmation of submission email
- Dartford Borough Council open PQQ, RFQ or ITT after the deadline
- Dartford Borough Council evaluates PQQ, RFQ or ITT
- Dartford Borough Council will issue notification emails to successful and unsuccessful businesses at each stage of the process
Accessing documents in Pro Contract
To access Pro Contract the link is https://www.businessportal.southeastiep.gov.uk/procontract/supplier.nsf
If you have been issued with a document through Pro Contract click on My Opportunities on the right hand side of the screen once logged in. A summary of the types of documents is then available; "My Pre Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs)", "My Invitations to Tender (ITTs)", "My Requests For Quotation (RFQs)" and "My Auctions" (not something we currently use). Click on the relevant document type and a list of your opportunities will then appear. Click on the contract id to access the documentation. For assistance with returning a document to us view the relevant guide; PQQ completion guide, RFQ Completion guide, ITT completion guide.
Electronic Ordering
The Council uses an electronic ordering system the IDeA marketplace to process all of its orders. The marketplace links directly to the financial system Cedar eProcurement and eFinancials.
Orders are transmitted by either email or fax. All goods and services ordered by the Council should be accompanied by an official purchase order and the purchase order number must be quoted on all invoices sent to the Council.
Electronic Payments
The Council is happy to receive invoices via email to payments@dartford.gov.uk. All invoices are paid via BACS. Bank details or bank detail changes should also be sent to payments@dartford.gov.uk.
View information about the Council's payment terms and procedures.
