CPV codes – What are they and why are they used?

The abbreviation most people assume is Complex, Problematic and Valueless.

In actual fact, the term stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary – although the prior may still apply.

What are they?

CPV codes are used to categorise tenders into a ‘subject matter’ – allowing for buyers to classify a criterion of what they want to procure and helping suppliers source these business opportunities more efficiently and effectively.

Or so we had hoped.

CPV Codes are 8-digit signifiers, followed by a classification number (for e.g. 12345678-1). This is to electronically source tender/business opportunities and publish them in front of the eyes of the right businesses that offer the required service.

Basically – when a Council needs to tender for a Security contract (for example), over 3 years costing approximately £700,000 per annum, they have to post this on OJEU (due to the high value amount), publicise this to both UK and European companies (due to the value) and list the code in order for it to be recognised by relevant Security Companies nationally and internationally. In this case the code is 79710000-4.

This opportunity is then broadcast on various websites across the country specifically appealing to those companies who are registered on various platforms to receive opportunities with the code 79710000-4.

Now, the initial concept of CPV codes was destined to be the answer to buyers and supplier’s prayers nationally, as procurement moved closer toward the digital age over a decade ago. However, somewhere along the line, things got a tad confusing and a little complex.

Because UK procurement is so vast and wide, there is literally a CPV code for every service and product you can think of that is mainstreamed in the UK/EU and it’s apparent that a lot of buyers are either not aware of this, are using codes incorrectly or not using them at all.

Want to find out about CPV codes and love a little light reading? Feel free to read this 375-page document – it tells you every code from the supply of Petroleum jelly (09221100-5) to the supply of Beetroot (03221111-7).

In 2016, there was a large piece of research carried out by the European Commission which stated that out of the sampled 405 contract notices tested, 23% had the wrong code associated with the scope of work tendered. That is nearly a quarter of notices not being sourced and published in the correct way through using these codes, making it HARDER for buyers to get their opportunities in front of the right businesses.

Now imagine if they had tested 1000 contract notices – How many suppliers would miss this?

An example of this (from Feb 2018 – below) shows a Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of One-to-One Tutors.

Please CLICK HERE for more information regarding Dynamic Purchasing Systems.

Now what if the buyer had only used the code Tutorial Services 80590000-6 and the supplier wasn’t receiving notifications due to them clicking an incorrect code upon sign-up or if the portal doesn’t use the CPV code option all at?

It’s worthy to note that a contract for the ‘COLLECTION OF KEY QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S MERGER DECISIONS’ was never awarded due to the code for ‘market research’ being used, when in fact, something more appropriate like the code for ‘economic research’ or ‘research services’ could have been used instead.

The majority of national portals have electronic algorithms that scour and publish opportunities based on CPV codes alone, meaning a quarter of these are not being publicised as effectively as they can be.

This is where Hudson steps in…

We NEVER rely on CPV codes and through using procurement specialists, we filter through all opportunities in multiple sectors across hundreds of notification platforms DAILY to ensure our customers receive the bespoke opportunities that apply to THEM! You can access any of our sector specific tendering portals HERE.

ACCESS OUR LINKEDIN FORUM HERE

SPEAK TO OUR TENDER CONSULTANTS HERE