Abbreviations for Organisations, Rules etc

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A

ABCC

Association of British Chambers of Commerce

ABRO

Army Base Repair Organisation

ACARD

Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development

ACAS

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Independent statutory body.

ACC

Association of County Councils

ADAS

Agriculture and Development Advisory Services
Executive Agency of the MAFF.

ADC

Association of District Councils

AEA

formerly Atomic Energy Authority
cf AEA Technology

AFC

Action For Cities

AFNOR

National standards organisation of France

AFRC

Agricultural and Food Research Council

AMA

Association of Metropolitan Authorities

ATB

Agricultural Training Board

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B

BA

Benefits Agency
An Executive Agency of the DSS.

BACIE

British Association for Commercial and Industrial Education

BC-NET

Business Co-operation Network
EU-sponsored network to assist SMEs in finding business partners with whom they can co-operate

BCS

British Computer Society

BIM

British Institute of Management (now Institute of Management - qv)

BNFL

British Nuclear Fuels Limited

BPIF

British Printing Industries Federation

BR

British Rail
see also Railtrack

BRE

Building Research Establishment

BS

British Standard/British Steel plc

BSI

British Standards Institution

BT

British Telecom

BTA

British Tourist Authority

BWB

British Waterways Board

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C

C&E

HM Customs and Excise
Administers Value Added Tax as well as Customs and Excise Duty. Polices these taxes.

CA

Contributions Agency
Executive Agency of the DSS.

CADW

Welsh Historic Monuments

CAP

Common Agricultural Policy

CBDE

Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
Executive Agency of the MOD

CBI

Confederation of British Industry
UK employers' organisation

CCTA

Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency
UK government agency promoting best practice in IT and telecommunications among public sector bodies. 'The Government Centre for Information Systems'

CE

"CE" marked on goods is a standards mark
Imprint or label confirming conformance to EC standards

CEC

Commission of the European Communities
Executive arm of the European Union Also drafts and proposes EU legislation for approval by Council of Ministers and European Parliament.

CEN

European Standardisation Committee
see also CENELEC

CENELEC

European Committee for Standardisation in Electrical/Electrotechnical field
see also CEN

CERVED

Employers' organisation of Italy

CIPS

Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply

COI

Central Office of Information

COMETT

Community Action Programme in Education and Training for Technology
EU programme

CoSLA

Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

CPA

Classification of Products according to Activities
General classification system from which CPV was largely derived in order to classify the purchases of public bodies and utilties.

CPC

Central Product Classification
Full title: United Nations Central Product Classification: used to define scope of Services Directive and often quoted in tender notices.

CPS

Crown Prosecution Service

CRE

Commission for Racial Equality

CSA

Child Support Agency

CSL

Central Science Laboratory

CSO

Central Statistical Office

CUP

Central Unit on Purchasing
Advises & helps government departments to improve procurement practices; monitors their achievements. Advises on capital works projects and promotes quality standards.

CVL

Central Veterinary Laboratory

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D

DAA

Defence Accounts Agency
Executive Agency of the MOD.

DAC

Defence Animal Centre
Executive Agency of the MOD.

DANI

Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland

DASA

Defence Analytical Services Agency
Executive Agency of the MOD.

DED

Department of Economic Development (Northern Ireland)

DENI

Department of Education For Northern Ireland

DfE

Department for Education
Merged (1995) in the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). Responsible for educational policy in England and Wales.

DH

Department of Health

DIN

Deutsche Industrie Norm
Standard defined by the German national standards organisation.

DNH

Department of National Heritage

DNS

Department for National Savings

DOAC

Defence Operational Analysis Centre
Executive Agency of the MOD.

DOE

Department of the Environment

DoT

Department of Transport

DPR

Data Protection Registrar

DRA

Defence Research Agency

DSA

Driving Standards Agency

DSS

Department of Social Security
Responsible for social security policy and administration (through Agencies such as Benefits Agency and Contributions Agency).

DTI

Department of Trade and Industry
includes Board of Trade

DVLA

Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency

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E

EAGGF

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund
More commonly referred to by its French acronym - FEOGA

EBRD

European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
also abbreviated as BERD

EC

European Community

ECE

Economic Commission for Europe
A United Nations body.

ECGD

Export Credits Guarantee Department

ECJ

European Court of Justice

ECOSOC

Economic and Social Committee
EC advisory body, which must be consulted by the Commission on proposals relating to economic and social matters. Also known as the ESC. The UN uses this acronym for a different body.

ECSC

European Coal and Steel Community
Part of the European Communities.

ECU

European Currency Unit
Equivalent to œ0.82 approx (August 95)

EDF

European Development Fund

EDG

Employment Department Group
Structure within the Department of Employment (merged with Department for Education in mid-1995)

EDI

Electronic Data Interchange

EEA

European Economic Area
Includes the 15 EU states, plus Iceland and Norway. Allows free movement of goods, services, capital and people among member states.

EEC

European Economic Community
Forerunner of the EC and EU.

EEIG

European Economic Interest Grouping
Legal Entity formed by a contractual agreement between at least two parties in different member states for the purpose of bidding for a contract to be carried out by the group's members.

EFTA

European Free Trade Association

EIB

European Investment Bank
The EU's bank which finances capital investment projects which contribute to the development of the Community.

EIC

European Information Centre
Network set up by the European Commission. Often hosted by other organisations. Provide advice on Business in Europe

EMS

European Monetary System
Structure encompassing the ERM and providing a framework for financial co-operation within the EU.

EN

European Norm
Standard adopted at European level

EOC

Equal Opportunities Commission

ERASMUS

European Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students
An EU programme.

ERDF

European Regional Development Fund

ERM

Exchange Rate Mechanism
System obliging members to maintain their exchange rate within certain fixed bands relative to others. UK withdrew in October 1992.

ESC

Economic and Social Committee
Correct acronym for the above, which is also commonly referred to as ECOSOC.

ESF

European Social Fund

ESRC

Economic and Social Research Council

ETSI

European Telecommunications Standards Institute
Body responsible for European Standards in the Telecommunications industry.

EU

European Union
Successor to the European Community created by the Maastricht Treaty wef 1 January 1994

EURATOM

European Atomic Energy Community

EUROTECNET

European Technology Network for Training
An EU initiative.

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F

FCO

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

FSS

The Forensic Science Service

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G

GAD

Government Actuary's Department

GCHQ

Government Communications Headquarters

GNP

Gross National Product

GSI

Government Supply Index
Privately-owned subscription service allowing Government purchasers to compare the prices which they pay.

GTN

Government Telecommunications Network

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H

HD

Harmonisation Document
Defines standards created by harmonisation of existing national standards.

HELIOS

Handicapped people in Europe Living Independently in an Open Society
Administers European Commission programmes in favour of handicapped and disabled people.

HIDB

Highlands and Islands Development Board

HMSO

formerly known as 'Her Majesty's Stationery Office'
UK government procurement organisation dealing with stationery, print and furniture. Also the UK state publisher.

HMT

Her Majesty's Treasury

HODA

Hydrographic Office Defence Agency
Executive Agency of the MOD.

HPSI

Health Purchasing Supply Index
Privately-owned subscription service allowing Health Service purchasers to compare the prices which they pay.

HRI

Horticultural Research International

HSC

Health and Safety Commission

HSE

Health and Safety Executive

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I

IB

Intervention Board
Formerly Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce. Administers intervention purchases under EU Common Agricultural Policy.

ICSTI

International Committee on Scientific and Technical Information

IGD

Institute of Grocery Distribution

ILO

International Labour Office/International Labour Organisation
A United Nations specialised agency.

IM

Institute of Management
Formerly British Institute of Management

IMF

International Monetary Fund

IR

Inland Revenue
Assesses and collects both personal and corporate taxes.

ISO

International Standards Organisation
UN agency in which most national standards organisations participate.

IT

Information Technology

ITSA

Information Technology Services Agency
Previously the IT services branch of the DSS.

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J

JANET

Joint Academic Network
A computer network connecting UK universities and research establishments.

JAU

Joint Assistance Unit
Unit established to coordinate assistance to Central and East Europe, notably through the "Know-How Fund". Involves FCO and ODA

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L

LCD

Lord Chancellor's Department

LEC

Local Enterprise Company
Scottish body similar to TEC but with wider powers, including administration of industrial properties.

LGC

Laboratory of the Government Chemist

LGCE

Local Government Commission for England

LRT

London Regional Transport

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M

MAFF

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

MCA

Medicines Control Agency

MMC

Monopolies and Mergers Commission

MoD

Ministry of Defence

MRC

Medical Research Council

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N

NAO

National Audit Office

NARO DSA

Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation - Defence Support Agency

NDPB

Non-Departmental Public Body
Sometimes referred to as a 'quango'.

NEDO

National Economic Development Office

NEL

National Engineering Laboratory
Due to be sold in latter half of 1995.

NERC

Natural Environment Research Council

NIAO

Northern Ireland Audit Office

NIO

Northern Ireland Office

NMS

National Museums of Scotland

NNI

National standards organisation of the Netherlands

NPL

National Physical Library

NRI

Natural Resources Institute

NWML

National Weights and Measures Laboratory

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O

ODA

Overseas Development Administration

OFFER

Office of Electricity Regulation

OFGAS

Office of Gas Supply

OFLOT

Office of the National Lottery

OFSTED

Office for Standards in Education

OFT

Office of Fair Trading

OFTEL

Office of Telecommunications

OFWAT

Office of Water Services

OJ

Official Journal (of the European Communities)
"L" series covers legislation. "S" series includes public procurement advertisements (also available from the TED database).

OJEC

Abbreviation for Official Journal of European Communities
Procurement matters appear in the Supplement ('S' series)

OPB

Occupational Pensions Board

OPCS

Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

OPSS

Office of Public Service and Science

OS

Ordnance Survey

OSI

Open Systems Interface
UK government standard version is GOSIP

OST

Office of Science and Technology

OU

Open University

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P

PCA

Police Complaints Authority

PES

Public Expenditure Survey

PFO

Pricipal Financial Officer
Term used in government departments for most senior accounting position.

PGO

Paymaster General's Office
Now part of the PAYMASTER executive agency.

PICKUP

Professional Commercial and Industrial Updating scheme

PIN

Prior/Periodic Indicative Notice
Notification in the OJ that the advertiser is likely to make purchases worth more than the defined threshold value.

PRINCE

PRojects IN a Controlled Environment
Project management method developed by CCTA and recommended for use by public sector bodies. Also used by some private sector companies.

PRO

Public Records Office

PSA

Property Services Agency
Most parts of PSA have now been privatised.

PSD

Pesticides Safety Directorate
Executive Agency of the MAFF.

PYBT

Prince's Youth Business Trust

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R

RA

Radiocommunications Agency

RAS

Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

RCA

Rate Collection Agency (Northern Ireland)

RCAHMS

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland

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S

SAFE

Security Facilities Executive

SASA

Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

SDA

Scottish Development Agency

SEA

Single European Act
A step in the process of European integration. This provided for progress toward the "single market" removing all trade barriers from 1 January 1993

SEPACS

Sheltered Employment Procurement and Consultancy Services
Sponsored by Department for Education and Employment to provide sheltered employment for persons with disabilities. Enjoys slight price preference for government contracts.

SERC

Science and Engineering Research Council

SFO

Serious Fraud Office

SFPA

Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

SI

Statutory Instrument

SIC

Standard Industrial Classification

SMCU

Single Market Compliance Unit
The Unit of the DTI which provides advice and assistance to companies regarding apparent breaches of EU procurement rules.

SME

Small and Medium Enterprises
Frequently referred to in context of EU and national assistance to business.

SO

Scottish Office

SOLOTEC

South London Training and Enterprise Council

SSAC

Social Security Advisory Committee

SSADM

Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology
Software design methodology developed by CCTA and recommended for use by public sector bodies.

SSAT

Social Security Appeal Tribunal

SSRC

Social Science Research Council

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T

TACIS

Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States and Georgia
European Union programme of assistance.

TBA

The Buying Agency
Procurement agency, formerly part of The Crown Suppliers (now defunct).

TEC

Training and Enterprise Council
England and Wales only. Provide range of training and business support services. (See LEC for Scotland)

TED

Tenders Electronic Daily
Machine readable text of procurement advertisements published in the OJ. This is available for searching on-line or through information brokers, who can arrange daily scanning (TED Alert) for their clients.

TRRL

Transport and Road Research Laboratory

TUC

Trades Union Congress

TUPE

Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
UK implementation of Directive on Acquired Rights.

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U

UNICE

Union of Industrial and Employers Confederations of Europe

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V

VAT

Value Added Tax

VCA

Vehicle Certification Agency

VMD

Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Executive Agency of the MAFF.

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W

WNC

Women's National Commission

WO

Welsh Office