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As of 24 February 2025, the way Housing Associations and other Public Sector Bodies procure goods, works and services has changed. The procurement Act 2023 has replaced the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. 

The Procurement Act 2023 aims to reform the UK's public procurement system, making it more efficient, transparent, and value-driven. Here are some key points:

  1. Value for Money and Transparency: The Act emphasizes value for money, public benefit, and transparency in procurement processes.
  2. Simplification and Modernization: It consolidates over 350 different procurement regulations into a single, streamlined regime.
  3. Support for Small Businesses: The Act opens up public procurement to small businesses and social enterprises, making it easier for them to compete for contracts.
  4. Digital Platform: A central digital platform has been created for suppliers to register and bid for contracts, simplifying the process.
  5. Exclusion of Poor Performers: The Act strengthens measures to exclude suppliers involved in unethical practices, such as modern slavery.
  6. Flexibility and Oversight: It introduces more flexible bidding procedures and establishes a Procurement Review Unit to oversee procurement practices.

mhs Homes spend around £55m a year on a wide range of goods and services from our valued suppliers.

Who do we work with?

We work with suppliers who share our company values, behaviours and ambitions.  We are committed to working clearly and transparently with our suppliers. It is important that our suppliers’ work ethics and values mirror ours as our success comes not just from our own high standards, but from that of our suppliers as well.  

We work with suppliers of all sizes both local and national. We deliver contracts which are fit for purpose, offer the right quality and deliver value for money across the business.

Our expectation is that our suppliers hold themselves and their subcontractors accountable to the standards and practices adopted by mhs Homes.

Our procurement team are responsible for supporting the business with purchasing everything from the installation of new bathrooms for our properties, through to the most up to date in house computer software.

Tenders

mhs Homes uses the In-tend portal to manage all tender opportunities.  Suppliers must be registered on the portal to be able to view and bid for these opportunities.

Registration is free, click here MHS Homes - Intend Portal to register and to view the opportunities that may interest you.

By registering with the portal you'll be able to:

  • Create and maintain your company profile
  • Receive email notifications whenever opportunities matching your profile are advertised
  • View current and future tendering opportunities
  • Obtain tender documents electronically
  • Upload tender submissions electronically

Contract Finder

You can search for information about contracts worth over £12,000 (including VAT) with Contracts Finder

You can use Contracts Finder to:

  • search for contract opportunities in different sectors
  • find out what’s coming up in the future
  • look up details of previous tenders and contracts

Find a Tender

To find and apply for high value contracts in the UK (usually above £139,688 including VAT) we use the Find a Tender service instead.

Frameworks

Some of our tenders are carried out through frameworks set up by other organisations such as:

  • South East Consortium (SEC)
  • EEM
  • ESPO
  • Fusion 21

Please contact our procurement team if you have any general questions that are not related to current tenders. [email protected] If you have any tender queries these should be sent via the portal messaging system.

Our values

We expect all our suppliers to share and uphold our PRIDE values, which guide the way we work and the impact we strive to make. This means working with partners who take pride in the quality of what they do, treat everyone with respect, promote inclusion and value diversity, demonstrate a driven and proactive approach, and show empathy by acting with care, integrity and a commitment to doing the right thing.

These values shape how we operate as #teammhs, and we expect our suppliers to reflect them in the way they conduct their business, support their workforce and interact with our customers and communities.

Modern slavery statement

Our commitment to preventing modern slavery

We are committed to ensuring that modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and exploitation have no place in our organisation or our supply chain. We expect all suppliers to uphold ethical labour standards, maintain transparent practices, and support us in identifying and addressing risks across all tiers of supply partners.

Expectations for our suppliers

  • Provide safe, fair, and legally compliant working conditions
  • Demonstrate clear processes for identifying and mitigating modern slavery risks
  • Cooperate with due‑diligence checks, audits, and ongoing monitoring
  • Report any concerns or suspected violations immediately
  • Have their own or agree to MHS’ Modern Slavery Policy

Alignment with the Procurement Act 2023

The Procurement Act 2023 strengthens the UK’s public procurement framework and places greater emphasis on transparency, supplier integrity, and ethical labour practices – key areas directly linked to tackling modern slavery. MHS Homes embed these principles into our procurement activity, ensuring responsible sourcing and robust oversight throughout the supply chain.

Modern slavery statement

You can read our full Modern Slavery Statement here: Modern slavery and human trafficking statement | mhs homes

Safeguarding

Our expectations of suppliers

At mhs homes, safeguarding is a fundamental priority. We expect all suppliers, contractors, and their staff to uphold the same high standards of safety, professionalism and care that guide our own work with residents, including adults at risk, young people and vulnerable households.

Creating a safe environment

All suppliers working on behalf of mhs homes must ensure that their staff, subcontractors and agents act to protect the welfare, dignity and rights of every resident. This includes:

  • Recognising and responding to signs of abuse, neglect or vulnerability, and reporting concerns immediately in line with the MHS Safeguarding Policy
  • Taking particular care when engaging with people who may be frail, elderly, disabled or otherwise vulnerable, as outlined in our Contractor Code of Conduct
  • Ensuring safe, respectful and professional conduct at all times in customers’ homes and communal areas

Safeguarding training

We require all suppliers to ensure their staff receive appropriate safeguarding training before carrying out work for mhs homes. This includes:

  • Training to recognise signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation and other safeguarding concerns.
  • Understanding how to report concerns using MHS Homes’ procedures
  • Awareness of the specific needs of vulnerable adults and young people
  • Additional refresher or role-specific learning where relevant – for example toolbox talks for operatives, as referenced in MHS safeguarding training standards

Ensuring staff are trained forms part of the performance expectations for all approved suppliers.

Professional standards and conduct

Suppliers must ensure their teams:

  • Treat all residents with courtesy, respect and sensitivity to individual needs
  • Carry valid identification and clearly explain the purpose of their visit
  • Never work in a property with minors present without another adult present, in line with our safeguarding guidance
  • Report any safeguarding concerns, unusual behaviour or welfare risks immediately
  • All personnel engaged in works in mhs homes tenanted properties and estates, to hold a basic DBS Check

Failure to meet these expectations may impact supplier performance reviews or ongoing approval status.