Procurement and tendering  

Noorderzijlvest Water Authority operates using revenue from tax funds. We work in accordance with the 2012 Public Procurement Act and our internal Procurement Policy. This means that we purchase and tender in accordance with established rules.

Our procurement and tendering policy has the following objectives:

  • We purchase in accordance with the law and in an efficient manner, so that tax money is spent in a controllable and sensible way.
  • We are a professional purchaser and client.
  • We purchase at the best possible price-quality ratio.
  • We keep costs low for entrepreneurs
  • We make a positive contribution to the water board's good performance.
  • We are working to achieve our sustainability ambitions.

Purchasing planning

Procurement planning 2025

How do we purchase?

Based on applicable regulations, we use the following:

Socially Responsible Procurement

When we purchase products or services, we do so sustainably. We take into account the price as well as the impact on the environment and society. We pay attention to:

  • use environmentally friendly materials and raw materials;
  • conserving water and soil;
  • CO2 savings (and reduced emissions of other greenhouse gases);
  • attention to the living environment;
  • care for nature;
  • biodiversity and space;
  • health and well-being first;
  • Sustainable Land, Road, and Water Engineering.

Socially Responsible Procurement can be

  • Innovation-oriented procurement: the water authority promotes sustainable development in and of works, services, and supplies from companies by giving companies the opportunity to incorporate innovative ideas and unique solutions into their tenders when tendering for services, supplies, and works. 
  • Encouraging suppliers to emit less CO2 (and other greenhouse gases)
  • Biobased procurement: the water authority strives to purchase products that are made entirely or partially from raw materials that can be reused. 
  • Circular procurement: the water authority encourages higher-quality use of raw materials by purchasing products and raw materials that are based on the conservation of natural resources. 
  • Social Return: the water authority encourages the participation of people who are distanced from the labor market in the execution of our assignments. 
  • SME-friendly procurement: the water authority is mindful of the regional economy and small and medium-sized enterprises without this leading to any form of discrimination against entrepreneurs. In addition, the water authority must not miss out on regional, national, European, or global opportunities. 
  • International social conditions: the water board rejects work, supplies, and/or services that are produced under unacceptable working conditions (such as child labor, forced labor, discrimination against employees, non-payment of a living wage).

CO2 and tenders

We also use the CO2 Performance Ladder in tenders. Tenders are assignments that companies and organizations carry out for the water authority. The water authority encourages suppliers to emit less CO2 (and other greenhouse gases). We want to give suppliers who ensure lower emissions an advantage in tenders.

Award advantage

The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority uses the ladder for tenders for works above €150,000. In addition, the water authority also investigates as standard for tenders for supplies and services above €50,000 whether the CO2 performance ladder is a suitable award criterion.  
Companies can work on five levels to reduce emissions. Suppliers who ensure CO2 reduction at project level are given an award advantage. The water authority awards extra points to suppliers with ambition levels 4 or 5, so that companies actually contribute to sustainability within the chain. 

Market vision ‘The water board market of the future’

The water authorities have drawn up a market vision. We did this in close collaboration with companies active in hydraulic engineering and water technology, such as contractors, suppliers, and engineering firms. This market vision is set out in the brochure "The water authority market of the future - Building blocks for innovation."

Documents

If for any reason you are unable to read the document, please send an email to info@noorderzijlvest.nl.

The water board has three different purchasing conditions: 

More information