All seven principles
Best sourcing balances quality, sustainable employment and price. It applies particularly to outsourced cleaning, security and landscape services and can improve retention, reliability and productivity. The advisory recommends a price-quality range of 50:50 to 30:70 and separate technical/price assessment; these are recommendations rather than a universal compulsory tender formula.
| Principle | Action |
|---|---|
| A: Protect employment rights | Require legal compliance and examine the provider’s record; report suspected offences. |
| B: Progressive remuneration | Provide for wage increments/AWS and no-worse-off terms for retained workers on provider changes. |
| C: Outcome-based contracting | Specify service levels and allow technology and efficient deployment rather than headcount only. |
| D: Recognise quality | Use price-quality evaluation, business record, payslips/KETs, credentials, training and equipment. |
| E: Decent work environment | Provide safe facilities and reasonable rest arrangements. |
| F: Longer partnership | Use stable relationships that support training, investment and continuity. |
| G: Fair contracting | Use clear obligations, proportionate remedies, reasonable payment and dispute handling. |
Contract design and monitoring
Check financial standing, relevant experience, accreditation, staff training, equipment, itemised payslips and KET compliance. Specify outcomes measurable through inspections, dashboards or other appropriate evidence. Where service providers change, recognise incumbent workers’ service and remuneration. Share foreseeable cost changes fairly, avoid punitive or one-sided terms and maintain a working escalation process.