NWUPC North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium) is owned by 24 universities in the North West of England. They manage a wealth of tenders, frameworks and mini competitions for these Universities. If you are a North West based or national supplier to the education sector this is key stakeholder in the industry.
As professional bid writers, with our HQ and bid writing team, based in Bolton, we regularly produce winning tender results for our clients via NWUPC opportunities.
Client feedback
"This is a huge thank you e-mail! After waiting many months for the XXX University tender we have just received notice to say we have been awarded the contract. we simply could not have achieved this success without the great template you provided us with. Every tender we have gone for so far we have won! 3 tenders in all, across 3 Universities. We are over the moon! Thanks again for such an amazing team and the work you put into the template" - Tracy Hutchison, Director, Elite Entrance Systems
We specialise in bid writing and bid management services for SMEs and this article is to share some of the benefits of NWUPC frameworks and why it has proven so successful for our clients. To understand what a ‘framework’ is click this link to see our detailed overview.
NWUPC Framework Overview
NWUPC develops approved frameworks or an approved list of suppliers for their University members to use. Via their agreements, they want to help Universities across the North West achieve value for money for the goods and services which they procure.
In their last published financial report (2021) they had £142m spend through their frameworks and produced £10.2m cashable savings for their members.
They have 26 framework agreements split across:
- Audio Visual Frameworks
- Catering Frameworks
- Computing Frameworks
- Domestics Frameworks
- Estates Frameworks
- Furniture Frameworks
- Laboratories Frameworks
- Library Frameworks
- Office Solutions Frameworks
- Professional Services Frameworks
- Telecommunication Frameworks
- Travel Frameworks
What is good to hear, from a supplier’s perspective, is that despite having 24 Universities as members and owners of NWUPC, plus additional users, within the 2022 – 2025 strategy they are still committed to increasing spend through their frameworks.
NWUPC Frameworks – 76% of Winning Bidders are SMEs
With a focus on social value NWUPC are committed to establishing more ways to engage SMEs. However, they are already doing a great job with 76% of the supply chain currently being SMEs and 20% of these being micro businesses.
They are going to be reporting more on SME and micro organisations' involvement in their frameworks and will be providing additional guidance to suppliers, including that on Social Value TOMS requirements. View our detailed and practical guide to Social Value here.
It is important to note that 92% of suppliers are Netpositive registered – so this is an accreditation you need to be looking at in preparation for these bids.
As this is a regional framework provider, it does mean it is by design more accessible for many regional contractors, suppliers and service providers. If you can deliver some of the products and services below across the North West, NWUPC could be a great opportunity for you.
List of the upcoming NWUPC frameworks planned across 2023:
NWUPC Audio Visual Frameworks
Covering:
Audiovisual equipment and installation services
Broadcasting equipment and integration services
Photographic equipment and consumables
NWUPC Catering Frameworks
Covering:
Alcohol
Butchered meat and poultry
Catering innovation and concept solution (CICS)
Convenience retail products and services
Disposables and kitchen chemicals
Food waste management
Fresh fish and seafood
Fresh fruit and vegetables and related products
Grocery, frozen and chilled
Hot beverage
Kitchen equipment maintenance, deep cleaning and ventilation ducting services (DPS – continually open to new suppliers throughout the duration of the agreement)
Milk, dairy, bread and morning goods
Sandwiches and associated products
Soft drinks and associated products
Temporary and permanent catering staff
Vegan and vegetarian specialist foods
Vending
NWUPC Estates & Facilities Management Frameworks
Covering:
Air Filters, Associated Products and Services
Building Cleaning
Building Materials, Tools and Hardware Supplies
Catering Light & Heavy Equipment
CCTV Systems and Equipment
Cleaning and Janitorial Supplies - NWUPC
Cleaning Equipment - Supply and Maintenance
Cleaning Services
Courier Services
Customs Agent Solutions
Design & Installation for the Customer Experience (Catering & Social Spaces)
Doors Maintenance, Repair and Installation Services
Drinking Water Dispensers (Supply and Distribution) and Related Services
Electrical Materials and Associated Products and Services
Electrical Vehicle Charging Point - CPC
Fire Alarms, Detection & Suppression Systems
Firefighting Equipment and Associated Services
Fixed Wire Testing (FWT)
Franking Machines & Consumables
Gas Equipment Maintenance & Repair Services
Grounds Maintenance Services
Lift Installation, Maintenance and Consultancy
Mail Services
Mechanical, Electrical and Building Fabric Maintenance Services
Paint & Decorating Supplies
Plumbing, Sanitary and Heating Equipment, Supplies and Associated Services
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
Recycling Bins & Street Furniture
Roofing & Roof Maintenance Services
Security Services
Signs & Signage – HE (HESAS)
Sports, Fitness & Gym Equipment
Synthetic Sports Facilities
Temporary Structures (DPS)
Washroom Services including Period Dignity Solutions
Waste Management Services (Sustainable)
Water Quality Management (Including Legionella) (EFM1044 AP)
Window Cleaning Services
NWUPC Furniture & Furnishing Frameworks
Covering:
Floor Coverings
Furniture
Removals and Relocations Services
Residential Textiles, Student Starter Packs and Window Coverings
Sustainable Furniture Solutions
White Goods and Associated Electrical Appliances
NWUPC ICT & Telecoms Frameworks
Covering:
Apple Equipment, Accessories and Associated Services
CCS Network Services 2
Data Centre Management equipment and Infrastructure framework (2019)
Delivery App
Desktops and Notebooks (NDNA)
eMarketplace to Facilitate Tailend Spend
EPOS Hardware and Software Systems CAT11054-TU
eProcurement System
IT Equipment Reuse Recycling and Disposal
IT Related Accessories and Parts (ITRAP) 2020
Mobile Phones - Ethically Sourced
Network Equipment, Jisc
Online Streaming and Training Services (ITS1035AP)
Printers and Managed Print Services (Nepa2)
Research Outputs Repository Systems, Jisc
Shared Datacentre, Jisc
Short Message Service (SMS) txt, Jisc
Similarity Detection Systems and Associated Services
Software Licence Resellers (SLRA)
Student Accommodation, Conference/Event, Delivered Catering & Hotel Management System(s) & Associated Services
Student Module Evaluation Systems and Associated Services, ITS 1038 AP
Telephony Purchasing Services, Jisc
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Systems and Associated Services
Vulnerability Assessment Service and Tools Supply, Jisc
NWUPC Library Frameworks
Covering:
Books, e-books, e-textbooks, and associated services
Library Management Systems and Associated Services
Serials, Periodicals and Associated Services Joint Consortia Agreement
NWUPC Office Supplies & Equipment Frameworks
Covering:
Art and Craft Materials
Multifunctional Devices and Digital Transformation Solutions
Office, Computer & Library Supplies
Paper – Print and Specialist
Promotional Merchandise
NWUPC Professional Services Frameworks
Covering:
Debt Recovery Services
Education Recruitment Advertising and Resourcing Services (National) NERARS 2018
Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services
Financial Services
Global Workforce Mobility Services
Graduation and Ceremonial Gowns, Photography and Event Services
Insurance Brokerage Services
Legal Services
Occupational Health and Wellbeing for Students and Staff
Temporary and Permanent (TAP) Recruitment Services PFB4037SU
NWUPC STEMed & Laboratories Frameworks
Covering:
3D Printers, 3D Scanners and Associated Equipment
Antibodies & Sera and other matrices
Electronic Components
High-Value Laboratory Equipment (HVLE)
IUPC Lab Gases Framework Agreement - 2021
Laboratory Consumables & Chemicals IRLA LAB4040 SU
Laboratory Equipment (General) and Associated Post Installation Services
Lasers and Associated Equipment (Dynamic Purchasing System)
Life Science Equipment
Life Sciences Reagents, Kits & Consumables
Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography Equipment
Microscopy and Imaging Equipment
Molecular Biology Research Services
Personal Protection Equipment, Clothing and Uniforms (PPE)
Veterinary Supplies, National Agreement for
NWUPC Travel & Accommodation Frameworks
Covering:
Fleet Solutions - Sustainable
Travel Management Services 2019 PFB4039SU
NWUPC Utilities Frameworks
Covering:
Flexible Energy Supply
Water/ Waste Water & Ancillary Services
Which public sector buyers use NWUPC?
NWUPC buyers who could be using your services
You will notice as well as Universities there are also some affiliate members such as Police Authorities and NHS Trusts:
Bangor University
Edge Hill University
Glyndŵr University
Harper Adams University
Keele University
Lancaster University
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Manchester Metropolitan University
Queen's University Belfast
Royal Northern College of Music
Staffordshire University
Ulster University
University of Bolton
University of Central Lancashire
University of Chester
University of Cumbria
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Salford
University of Wolverhampton
University of Worcester
LTE Group
National Museums Liverpool
Newcastle-Under-Lyme College
Science & Technology Facilities Council
Scottish Police Authority (SPA)
St Marys University College Belfast
Stranmillis University College
Affiliate Members
Aston University
Hospice Quality Partnership
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Norwich University of the Arts
Regents Theological College
Southport College
The Energy Consortium
The University Caterers Organisation
How does an NWUPC Framework work?
NWUPC uses the portal EU Supply. You can use this link to register on the portal to start bidding or to view current NWUPC tender opportunities.
For more tender opportunities take a look at our comprehensive and free tender alert software, covering UK and Europe, Tender Pipeline.
Once you have found an NWUPC framework you want to bid for and is available, you need to register on the EU Supply Portal and express an interest in the specific opportunity. At this stage, you will be able access full the tender pack for the framework, instructions on how to tender and deadlines for the bid submission. This is your chance to fully review the requirements, and assess your chances of success or whether it is something you want to bid for.
Once you have followed the instructions and submitted your bid, NWUPC will inform you via the portal whether you have been successfully shortlisted onto the framework. If you have been successful you will then have to sign contracts and there will be chances to engage with NWUPC in order to further understand how the framework will work. Most NWUPC frameworks allow for direct award and mini-competition. This means some of your public sector clients may choose to continue to work with you via this framework and via a direct award (no further competition). Or they will invite the relevant and successfully awarded bidders to submit a further tender specifically for their requirement.
Bid writing support for NWUPC Framework
As bid writing professionals, Thornton & Lowe has been helping clients win work on NWUPC frameworks for over 10 years. This has included sourcing relevant NWUPC tender opportunities, provision of bid writing and expert guidance, as well as support with supporting documents and the actual submission. In addition, we will regularly help our clients secure call-offs from NWUPC frameworks (further competition) to win contracts.
See our bid writing top tips here, which will help you secure your place on NWUPC frameworks.
Bid Writing Success and Feedback:
“We have found working with the team at Thornton & Lowe to be excellent - their patience, attention to detail and professionalism throughout the entire process was greatly appreciated. We would highly recommend Thornton & Lowe to any company looking to secure more business." Cantium Business Solutions
To view feedback from our existing clients, click here.
We have several detailed case studies highlighting what we have achieved for our clients who bid into the public sector, which can be found here.
