Are there any special rules regarding the procurement of professional services?
Answer Firstly, all procurements for professional services with a value over £4,000 (excluding VAT) must be supported by a duly signed ‘Business Case’. There are now 2 levels of business case i.e. standard and full. The level required is determined by the value of the resultant contract. Where the business is being competitively tendered the following applies: Contract value £4,000 to £250,000 requires a STANDARD business case Contract value over £250,000 requires a FULL business case. In addition, when professional services projects are valued at £500,000 (ex VAT) they must be approved at Ministerial level.
