Procurement route – frequently asked questions
[edit] What does procurement route mean?
A procurement route is a procedure that is followed in order to purchase goods or services.
[edit] How is a procurement route selected?
The procurement route that is selected will depend on the purchasers priorities in terms of:
[edit] What are the main procurement routes?
The main procurement routes are:
- Traditional contract.
- Single-stage design and build.
- Two-stage design and build.
- Management contract.
[edit] What is the most commonly used procurement route?
The traditional route remains the most popular procurement route. In this route, sometimes referred to as 'design bid build', 'bid build' or 'employer designed', the client first appoints consultants to design the project in detail and then prepare tender documentation, including drawings, specifications and bills of quantities. Contractors are then invited to submit tenders for the construction of the project, usually on a single-stage, competitive basis.
For more information see: Traditional contract.
[edit] How many procurement routes are there?
There are a very wide range of different procurement routes. 26 different routes that are commonly used are identified and explained here.
[edit] What stages are followed in a procurement process?
A traditional procurement process might progress through the following stages:
- Appointment of designers.
- Design.
- Preparation of tender documentation for contractors.
- Invitation to tender by contractors.
- Submission of bids by contractors.
- Assessment of bids by the purchaser.
- Negotiation.
- Settlement.
- Contract engrossment and execution.
- Mobilisation.
- Construction.
[edit] What documents are needed for procurement?
Tender documents are needed for the procurement process. These will typically include:
- A letter of invitation to tender.
- The form of tender.
- Preliminaries: including pre-construction information and site waste management plan (if required).
- The form of contract, contract conditions and amendments.
- A tender pricing document (or contract sum analysis on design and build projects).
- Employer's information requirements for Building Information Modelling (BIM).
- Design drawings and specifications or a building information model if there is one.
- Tender return slip.
[edit] How are suppliers assessed during the procurement process?
Typically, assessments of suppliers during the procurement process might consider some of the following criteria:
- Price.
- Relevant experience.
- Understanding of the requirements.
- Past performance.
- Technical skills.
- Resource availability.
- Management skills and systems.
- Proposed methodology.
- Compliance with the requirements set out in the invitation to tender.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.