Our Suppliers

 
 

Who are NWUPC?

The North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC) is a not for profit organisation owned by its Full members consisting of 24 Universities within the North West Region.  Our purpose is ‘to provide a structure for higher education institutions to secure value for money in matters relating to purchasing goods and services’. Originally formed by leading HE bodies in the North West, the NWUPC is now run by a Board consisting of Finance Directors and other executive level managers from within the NWUPC membership.The NWUPC has experienced Category Managers who are specialists in their field.  Each Category Manager is involved in tendering and contract management and acts as a link between the supplier and the Universities.

What do NWUPC do?

NWUPC set up and contract manage Framework Agreements in twelve Category areas.  Framework Agreements are established to ensure compliance with the European Procurement Regulations which cover Public Sector contracts over a certain threshold value.

The Framework Agreements are advertised on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and are open to all suppliers.  A tender document is completed and returned to NWUPC within strict timescales and then the bid is evaluated based on set criteria.  The Framework Agreement establishes the Terms and Conditions of Supply and generally the pricing for a fixed period.

NWUPC will then appoint a certain number of suppliers onto the Framework Agreement for the duration specified which is typically four years.  Within this time no additional suppliers are added to the Framework.  Members then call off the Agreement by setting up individual contracts with selected suppliers on the Framework.

Framework Agreements are not mandated and Members make purchasing decisions based on their individual requirements and University guidelines.

The Categories are as follows:

  • Audio Visual
  • Catering
  • Computing
  • Domestic Supplies & Services
  • Estates & Facilities Management
  • Furniture & Soft Furnishings
  • Laboratory Category Group
  • Library Services
  • Office Solutions
  • Professional Services
  • Telecommunications
  • Travel

Who are our Members?

To view a list of our Members please go to our Our Members section.

Why become an NWUPC supplier  

Our website lists the agreements that we currently have in place and when they are due to expire. As the Tendering process starts anywhere between six to twelve months prior to expiry it is wise to look out for the advert during this period. 

To view the list of NWUPC’s agreements, please click on the link : NWUPC agreements details.

In accordance with the EU Procurement Regulations notification of the tender process is placed in the Official Journal of the European Union. This is a daily electronic publication and can be viewed at : Official Journal of the European Union, the advert (called a Contract Notice) will be placed on OJEU.  Interested Suppliers should send their contact details to procurement@nwupc.ac.uk including the area or framework interested in.  A response email will not be received.  Your details will be added to our expressions of interest database.  We will then email you to notify you when a Framework in your area of interest is advertised and how to gain documentation. However, it is your responsibility to monitor tender opportunities.  NWUPC does not assume any responsibility to contact you. 

Please contact us if you have further questions regarding how to become a supplier.

NWUPC also work with our collaborative partners across the UK who include:

North East Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC)

London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC)

Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)

Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC)

Higher Education Purchasing Consortium Wales (HEPCW)

The Universities Caterers Organisation (TUCO)

The Energy Consortium (TEC)

Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC)

Some of the framework agreements are open to Members of these consortia in addition to those in the North West. 

Working with our collaborative partners there is now a UKUPC Guide for Awarded Suppliers, this document provides an overview for suppliers on how the consortia work together and, most importantly, how you can market your products and services to consortia Members across the country. Alongside helpful tips and contact details for each consortia, you can download the UKUPC Guide for Awarded Suppliers here.

 

 

Page Updated - 19/02/2024