In setting out the award criteria in the specification, it is important to give an overview of the contractual conditions the contracting authority will be including in the final contract.
It is important to be as specific as possible when setting out what benefits you expect to achieve or requirements you intend to impose on the contract so as to limit the uncertainty for suppliers.
Any measure a contracting authority takes to ensure the promotion and compliance of health and safety in its public procurements must be relevant, proportionate and not overly burdensome, meeting current legislation as a minimum.
The extent to which imposing user enhancement requirements on a contract will be proportionate, depends on the specific circumstances of the individual procurement. Below are some best practice examples highlighting health and well-being requirements:
‘The organisation specifically wishes to support the enhancement of the health and well-being of its users, please describe how you will contribute to this aim including reducing the risks within this contract.’
For food and catering services, the Government Buying Standards should apply.
It is essential for higher risk activities that a method statement for the particular contract is evaluated to assess whether the tenderer has identified all the known risks. As an example to incorporate this within your documents you could include:
‘Bidders are required to submit a method statement describing in a logical sequence exactly how the work will be carried out in a people-centric manner and without risks to health and well-being, including all the risks identified in the risk assessment and the measures needed to control those risks. Bidders are also required to provide a risk assessment for the services, including what resources will be allocated to manage the risks identified.’
