SUPC develops and manages frameworks specifically for the higher education sector, working in close collaboration with our UK regional purchasing consortia partners who operate in a similar way.
To assist you in becoming a supplier, we’ve compiled answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that isn’t addressed on this page, feel free to reach out to us at supc@sums.ac.uk
Supplier Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can suppliers supply to SUPC members?
Frameworks across UKUPC cover a variety of commodity areas which include, but are not limited to:
- IT & Telecommunications
- Laboratory supplies and instruments
- Professional Services (HR, travel, recruitment services)
- Estates and facilities.
Although not all commodities sit directly under SUPC, you can still supply to our members through other Consortia’s frameworks. Due to SUPC’s collaboration with other regional consortia, an agreement that is awarded by one consortium will generally be made available for other consortia to use.
How do I find a tender?
SUPC provide and manage frameworks for the HE Sector, working closely with our partner UK regional purchasing consortia who operate in the same way. Suppliers can only join a framework at tender stage and not during the lifetime of the framework. Therefore, it is important for potential suppliers to look out for upcoming opportunities.
To become one of our suppliers we would first direct you to the list of frameworks available to our members for you to view. When browsing the list of frameworks, please note that in the agreement overview (PDF document) who the ‘Lead Consortium’ is. Our members also have access to frameworks owned by other consortia. The contact details for frameworks should be listed there. We would recommend contacting the ‘lead agreement contact’ for further information. This document also details the start and end dates of the frameworks which will give you an indication of when it is likely to be retendered.
What is SUPC’s tender process and how can we get involved?
SUPC currently advertises all upcoming tender opportunities in line with Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR). Please note that from the 24 February 2025, all new tenders will be published under the Procurement Act 2023 regulations.
It is recommended that suppliers use the Find a Tender service for high value contracts (usually above £118,000), and Contracts Finder for contracts over £12,000. Registering on Contracts Finder allows suppliers to save relevant searches and receive email updates on present and future contract opportunities in the public sector.
- SUPC uses ‘Mercell’, an online tender portal, to promote tender opportunities and manage the bid process.
- Registering your interest in a particular tender on Mercell does not make you an SUPC supplier; it simply tells us that you are interested in a particular tender. You only become an SUPC supplier if you are awarded a contract following competition.
- We recommend that you register with a generic email address, if possible, so the contact details are not out of date when staff leave.
- Only suppliers who best meet the tender requirements of high-quality products/services are awarded tenders and listed as suppliers on SUPC agreements. Once awarded, agreements typically run for four years.
For further information please email supc@sums.ac.uk.
What does the Procurement Act mean for suppliers?
- the new legislation (Procurement Act 2023) has a go-live date of 24 February 2025.
- part of the change is that there will be a new Central Digital Platform. All suppliers need to register and acquire an ID number when this goes live
- there is an expectation that suppliers will keep their own information up to date on the central platform, to ensure integrity of the data in the new system
- the objective of the new platform is to deliver greater transparency and accountability of supplier company information and increased visibility of opportunities
- this should make it easier for SMEs to participate
- new notices will be introduced and become mandatory through a phased process.
What are the benefits of becoming an SUPC supplier?
- Framespan visibility – an online portal that lists multiple public sector framework providers
- potential to supply to HE members all over the UK
- marketing & advertising opportunities
- SUPC supports the NETpositive Sustainability Management Tool – suppliers can use this tool to manage and demonstrate their sustainability initiatives to members
- SUPC suppliers are listed on Hunter (replacing HE Contracts) – being a listed supplier on Hunter gives you visibility to participating members from all regional Higher Education purchasing consortia across the UK.
What marketing opportunities are available to SUPC suppliers?
Awarded suppliers can contact SUPC’s marketing and communications team to receive a ‘welcome pack’ that outlines ways to promote your partnership with us.
Our Awarded Framework Supplier Opportunities page is designed to help guide you with all aspects of marketing when it comes to your relationship with SUPC, from logos and branding to advertisement opportunities and data.
For targeted advertising opportunities, visit our Advertise with SUPC page to feature your brand on our website, which receives around 8,000 monthly clicks; or in our e-newsletter, reaching an audience of over 1,000 procurement and finance professionals in higher and further education.
