It has been acknowledged there are a number of strategic drivers requiring a transformation in public procurement practice and procedure. This requires a shift in focus away from procedural instruction to a more commercial approach to help deliver the Programme for Government commitments through public procurement.
In recognition of this, the Procurement Board agreed to apply the themes contained within the Construction Playbook, published by Cabinet Office, to procurements in Northern Ireland with the aim of improving commercial focus.
As a result of this work the Construction Toolkit was developed, to incorporate the best practice guidance from the Cabinet Office’s Playbook, along with guidance developed for public procurement here.
The Toolkit is not mandated. It is a compilation of helpful guides and templates which public bodies may wish to use, as appropriate.
If there is any conflict between the Toolkit and Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs), the PPNs will take precedence.
The Construction Toolkit provides guidance on the following project stages;
- Preparation and Planning
- Selection
- Evaluation and Award
- Contract Implementation
Further guidance contained in the Annexes within the toolkit includes;
- Health and Safety
- Environmental Management Systems
- Licence to Practise
- Design Quality
- Project Bank Accounts
- The use of Retentions
- Building Information Modelling
- Construction Works Guide to Two Stage Tendering
- Liability in Government Infrastructure Projects
- Constructionline
- Protocol for Managing Supplier Poor Performance.