PURCHASING PROCEDURES - University of Central Lancashire

12: PURCHASING CONSORTIUM
The University of Central Lancashire is a member of the North Western Universities Purchasing
Consortium (NWUPC).
The Consortium consists of a number of commodity/service based user groups, representing most
University or Higher Education institutions in the North West of England and North Wales.
The Commodity Groups are:
Admin & Professional Services
Laboratory Supplies
Estates
Computer Supplies/Equipment
Catering
Domestic Supplies & Services
Stationery & Office Equipment
Furniture & Soft Furnishings
Audio-Visual Equipment
Telecommunications
Advantages of membership of the Consortium are:
- increased value for money because of bulk purchasing power;
- consistency of supply arrangements within the sector;
- 'networking' of best practices within user Departments;
- administration resource savings due to unnecessary tender or quotation exercises.
The Head of Purchasing shall make recommendations to the Group Executive Director of Finance
for purchases in excess of £50,000 where a Consortium supply arrangement exists, in order to
maximise value for money.
Details of Consortium contracts or supply arrangements are included in the Purchasing Buyers
Guide.
As a member, UCLan will encourage the consortium to incorporate issues detailed in the
University‟s Sustainable Development Procurement Procedure in future contracts.
Further information relating to the Consortium appears on the website at North Western
Universities Purchasing Consortium
Purchasing Procedures December 2011