Procurement
Procurement
As from 1st October 2026, the University of the West of England, (UWE) is not a ‘contracting authority’ for the purposes of the UK Procurement Act 2023.
Procurement at UWE Bristol is carried out in accordance with the University's financial regulations and its procurement strategy.
Where the University advertises contracts via the UK e-notification service Find a Tender (FTS), it does so on a voluntary basis and does not undertake any obligation to comply with the 2023 Act or associated procurement legislation. When publishing opportunities in this way, the University reserves its rights in full to adapt or step outside the procedures in the 2023 Act and associated procurement legislation as the University considers necessary.
However, the University reserves the right (despite not being under a general legal obligation to adhere to the procurement legislation) to undertake certain tender exercises in accordance with the 2023 Act and associated procurement legislation, either where mandated by the requirements of project funding or voluntarily and at the University's own discretion.
The procedure applicable to any individual procurement will be detailed in the relevant tender documentation.
Become a supplier to UWE Bristol
Selection of suppliers
In engaging suppliers, the University continues to use either framework agreements or puts contracts in place via our tendering process. If you wish to be considered as a potential supplier, we recommend that you register on the HE In-Tend e-tendering system.
Where the overall University spend exceeds the appropriate thresholds, contracted suppliers are put in place. This will be via a formal tender process, run either by our own Procurement team or by one of the collaborative bodies mentioned below.
Where the value of the goods or services is below the threshold requiring a tendered contract, the University may nevertheless need to seek appropriate suppliers and may run a tender to evaluate these. Such requirements may be advertised on the e-tendering system, regardless of likely value.
Frameworks
The University believes in the benefits of collaborative purchasing. UWE Bristol is a member of the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC). Along with other HE Purchasing Consortia, SUPC put framework agreements in place which can be used by its members when buying goods and services.
Where no corresponding UWE Bristol agreement is in place, we will use framework agreements set up by SUPC and other agencies, including the University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) and the Crown Commercial Service.
Goods/services funded by EU grants
Where the goods or services being supplied are funded by EU grants with specific conditions relating to procurement advertising, for example European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), these conditions take precedent over the University's advertising requirements. See the ESIF National Procurement Requirements (ESIF-GN-1-001, version 5) published 20 February 2017 for information.
Please note
Every invitation to tender must state that the University:
- Does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender.
- Reserves the right to invite further tenders at its absolute discretion if it considers that the tenders received do not provide adequate competition or for other good reason.
Tenders and Contracts
The role of the Procurement team is to ensure that appropriate and compliant procurement activity is carried out, in conjunction with local teams and departments.
All UWE Bristol, tenders are run through our e-tendering website. On the site you can view a list of contracts awarded by the University and details of tenders open to expressions of interest. Suppliers' tender returns are uploaded to the site, and there is a correspondence function for any enquiries.
Suppliers must register on the Intend portal in order to express an interest in a tender. Registration is free and with no obligation.
Once you have expressed an interest, you will need to log into the system and then click on the 'My Tenders' tab. From here, you can select the tender that you have expressed an interest in, and you will be able to download related documents.
Where suppliers are already registered, you can add additional users to your account.
All Tender returns must be submitted via the Intend portal.
Procurement strategy
Mission statement
The aim of the Procurement Team is to enable the University to make maximum use of our non-pay resources in order that we may minimise purchasing costs and achieve value for money in the delivery of goods and services to our internal customers, whilst contributing to the overall strategic goals of the University.
Social value is a key driver in terms of responsible procurement strategy.
Social value in procurement is about making sure that what we buy creates an overall positive impact on our people and communities. It can be divided into three main areas:
- Social – this is about improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities, encouraging interconnectedness and mutual support among people
- Economic – this focuses on promoting economic policies and business practices that uplift society’s wellbeing
- Environmental – this stresses the importance of sustainable processes that take care of both the social and physical environment, ensuring a viable future for everyone.
Read more about our overall approach to sustainable purchasing and procurement.
Procurement strategy
Aim
To obtain the best value in the procurement of goods and services.
Method
Professional expertise is concentrated on the procurement of high value and strategic goods and services, where added value can be optimised.
Controls and systems for the efficient procurement of more straightforward and low-value purchasing items are used whenever possible and are under constant development and review. Such systems currently include purchasing cards, travel cards and e-purchasing.
Procurement is devolved in specialist areas of IT, Estates, Printing and Stationery, Catering and Accommodation but overseen by a central, professional team, which ensures compliance with University policy and the law.
Elements of the strategy
- Securing the commitment of effective procurement from Senior Managers, Deans and Heads of Service.
- Identify and disseminate information and advice on good procurement practice.
- Improve the training and skills development of all those involved in procurement.
- Improve the use of management information systems, including e-systems.
- Actively support and promote Consortia, national and co-operative purchasing contracts and agreements.
- Support the use of performance measuring benchmarking techniques and monitoring both internally and externally to the HE sector.
- Promote procurement practices which contribute to the sustainability of the environment.
- Analyse annual expenditure by supplier and product to identify purchasing opportunities, potential savings.
- Promote end user involvement and critical feedback to SUPC product affinity groups.
- Ensure the Code of Ethics in the Procurement Code of Practice is observed by all staff and representatives engaged in the University's procurement activities.
- Monitor the register of Interests and Declarations from members of the governing body, senior officers and those staff with the authority to commit the University to significant amounts of expenditure.
Partners in Procurement
West of England Partners in Procurement is a group of public bodies based in the West of England. The membership encompasses the four, former Avon local authorities and representatives from a diverse range of public bodies, including local universities and colleges, blue light services and healthcare trusts.
Since 2007 the group has run annual events to encourage local businesses to supply to the public sector by showing them how to identify business opportunities and teaching them what is required from potential suppliers, particularly in the early stages of the tender process (supplier selection).
Contacts
University of the West of England, Bristol
Frenchay Campus
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol BS16 1QY
UK
EORI number: GB520137788000
Email: purchasing@uwe.ac.uk (general enquiries)
|
Role |
Contact |
Telephone |
|
Procurement Director |
Helen Baker |
|
|
Senior Procurement Category Manager |
Sarah Burton |
|
| Senior Procurement Category Manager | Henry Prudden | +44 (0)117 32 83656 |
|
Procurement Category and Data Officer |
Rosie Hale |
|
|
Procurement Assistant |
Ali Cox |
|
|
Procurement Assistant |
Harry Dunstan |
You may also be interested in
Terms and conditions of purchase
Terms and conditions of purchase for UWE Bristol.
Supplier documents and information
Useful documents and links to information for current and prospective suppliers of UWE Bristol.
Sustainable purchasing and procurement
Details of our strategy to deliver sustainable procurement and address our suppliers' emissions, as outlined in our Responsible Procurement ESG policy.