scope:

This standard covers the activities associated with supplier assurance and applies to Network Rail expenditure with suppliers above defined risk and expenditure thresholds.

NOTE - In circumstances of very low expenditure the whole supplier assurance framework will not apply. For further guidance see Contracts and Procurement/Strategic Sourcing pages on 'Connect'.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to state Network Rail's supplier assurance policy and describe the framework by which Network Rail obtain assurance that all reasonably practical steps have been taken to appoint suitably competent and adequately resourced suppliers.