Procurement

How to work with us

You can access some of our procurement documentation below which we use during our tender processes:

• Raising concerns policy
• Procurement policy

When evaluating a tender submission, we score a supplier on their ability to meet our quality and commercial requirements.

Information security is crucial and suppliers may have to complete a security questionnaire as part of our procurement process. If you don't meet our requirements we won't be able to appoint you as a supplier.

Where applicable, we encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to participate in our tendering process. Our engagement statistics with SME's is:

Our spend and payment data

When contracting with suppliers our preferred payment method is purchase orders. The frequency should be specified when procured.

We prefer invoices to be emailed to Accounts Payable. However exceptions can be posted to: 

General Medical Council
Accounts Payable
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3AW

The GMC conduct daily payment runs. Once a valid invoice with clearly stated Purchase Order number has been approved, it is paid instantly.

Our payment record:

Contact the Procurement team

Our qualified and professional Procurement team are responsible for the effective procurement and contract management of goods, works, and services across all our sites.

You can contact us by email (procurement@gmc-uk.org), telephone (0161 923 6340), or post:

General Medical Council
Procurement
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3AW

Our corporate social responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a priority for the General Medical Council. Our commitment to sustainability is embodied by all GMC employees and is part of our procurement strategy.

We review CSR and innovation with all our suppliers when tendering and through the ongoing supplier relationship. Ensuring we create agile sustainability within the total life of our contracts.

Code of conduct

We believe that a supplier is representing our organisation when fulfilling tasks on our behalf. Should a supplier not adhere to this code, we reserve the right to reassess the commercial relationship.

The foundation for these behaviours lies in our five core organisational values :

• Excellence – we are committed to excellence in everything that we do
• Fairness – we treat everyone fairly
• Transparency – we are honest and strive to be open and transparent
• Collaboration – we are a listening and learning organisation
• Integrity – we’re honest and share what we see

Prompt Payment Code

The GMC is committed to the Government Prompt Payment Code.

We conduct daily payment runs. Once a valid invoice with clearly stated purchase order number has been approved, it is paid instantly. GMC publishes its performance against payment of all undisputed and valid invoices within 30 days.

We encourage suppliers to treat their own sub-contractors in a similar manner.

Social Value

The GMC require that suppliers pay the Living Wage for all operatives.

We uphold the definition of good practice as stated in Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? :

“As a matter of good practice and good business, you should treat everyone accessing your goods, facilities or services fairly, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, religion or belief, and guard against making assumptions about the characteristics of individuals.”

Any form of discrimination will not be tolerated by the GMC.

Sustainability/Environmental

Where possible we seek to procure goods and services with a reduced impact on the environment.

We are keen to work with suppliers on initiatives to ensure we are creating the least amount of waste and maximising sustainability options.

Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Suppliers shall comply with and ensure that its staff or anyone on their behalf, comply with The Bribery Act 2010.

Suppliers will not offer, give or agree to give anything to anyone as inducement or reward for doing, refraining from doing or having done or refrained from doing any act in relation the execution of their duties for the GMC. This is written into our terms and conditions.

Suppliers will ensure that any potential conflicts of interest are declared at the beginning of the potential relationship or within two days of becoming aware of a conflict. We will either take steps to reduce this conflict or terminate any Agreement. 

Raising concerns

The GMC are committed to identifying and reacting to any concerns suppliers may have when dealing with our organisation or individual within our organisation. The Raising concerns policy has been created to reassure anyone who wishes to raise a concern and the process to follow should this be required.

You can access our Raising concerns policy on the 'How to work with us' tab on this page.

Supply chain

Suppliers should adopt this code of conduct when interacting with their supply chain on behalf of GMC business. 

Information Security and Data Protection

Suppliers shall comply with and ensure that its staff or anyone on their behalf, comply with UK GDPR and FOIA where applicable. Any incidents relating to GMC data, or data processed on behalf of the GMC must be reported to us as soon as possible.

We are committed to protecting the security, integrity and availability of our IT systems and the data that we generate, receive, process, store and transfer. We are certified to ISO 27001 and require our suppliers to adhere to the security standards we request. 

Modern slavery

Suppliers will comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 at all times. The GMC annually performs a number of activities to ensure compliance with this as published within our Modern Slavery Policy.

Health and safety

Suppliers are expected to meet the requirements of our health and safety policy while at the GMC’s premises.

Gift and hospitality register

All GMC staff are required to declare any gifts or hospitality offered to them with a value over £10, whether accepted or declined. This register provides details of gifts and hospitality received by GMC staff over the course of the reporting year.

• 2024 gift and hospitality register

Modern slavery and human trafficking statement

As a public sector body, we recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.

We are absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities, and to ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Find out more in our modern slavery and human trafficking statement.