What is Sustainable Procurement?
Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits not only to the organisation, but also to society and the economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment.

What is Whole Life Costing (WLC) or Life-Cycle Costing (LCC)?
The financial cost of purchasing a product or a system for its useful life, this includes the cost of capital, installation, operation (i.e. energy and water use), maintenance, repair and disposal. Other incidentals such as insurance may be included as well.

What is Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)?
A technique for assessing the environmental and economic impacts of a product from extraction of resources to production, disposal and beyond. Also known as cradle-to-grave assessment.

What is Sustainable Development?
Development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations).

What is an Environmental Management System (EMS)?
A means of ensuring effective implementation of an environmental management plan or procedures and compliance with environmental policy objectives and targets. Certified EMS schemes include EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), developed under EU Regulation and ISO 14001, a global standard created by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO). 

Where can I get training on Sustainable Procurement?
The LCE’s Training and Development Programme is developing a suite of training modules that includes sustainable procurement. Details will be listed on the LCE website when courses commence in early to mid 2007.

What is a Prior Information Notice (PIN)?
A PIN refers to a notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEC) informing parties that the tender documentation will be issued to bidders shortly. The PIN will detail specific services required, proposed contractual terms, payment mechanism, timetable for negotiation and submission of bids and criteria for evaluation of bids.

What is a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)?
The PQQ is designed to assess the standard and suitability of bidders that expressed interest in the tendering process. Through the PQQ the successful candidates are shortlisted to the next stage of the procurement process.