May 2013
NEWS: Spend and savings reports 2011-12
Members can expect to receive their individual spend and savings reports for the 2011-12 financial year by the end of the month. Using data provided by institutions, LUPC is able to deliver an individual report setting out the spend and savings made through LUPC agreements, in addition to areas of non-consortium spend that you may want to investigate and potentially redirect through LUPC agreements to make further savings.
If you’re not sure whether LUPC has your spend data to deliver this report to you, please contact Harry Saurai, Procurement Analyst on 020 78693 1652.
NEW MEMBER: Centre for Applied Science and Technology
The Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) has joined LUPC as a full Member.
CAST is part of Home Office Science, and is made up of scientists and engineers who develop technological solutions to fight crime. CAST works with both academia and industry and has two sites: Sandridge in Hertfordshire and Langhurst in West Sussex.
LUPC extends a warm welcome to Tom Hardy, Infrastructure and Safety Manager (Head of Laboratories), and his team.
Read more about CAST
FEEDBACK: LUPC Member Survey 2013
LUPC is continually striving to improve its service and agreements to you, our Members. Please could you spare five minutes to complete our Member Survey and help us improve the way we work with you. All the feedback received, both good and bad, is important in helping us deliver agreements and services that directly benefit Members.
We'd welcome feedback from buyers across your institutions, so please do forward this link on. The survey will close at noon on Friday 31 May.
Take the online survey
NEWS: Procurement case studies needed
The Efficiency Exchange is looking to gather material to showcase the strategic value of procurement to the sector, as part of its aim to support implementation of the Diamond Review recommendations.
The Exchange now wants to collect evidence that shows how procurement managers have worked with senior leaders in their organisations to meet the strategic vision of their vice-chancellors, and to deliver value that goes beyond cost savings. Ideas for case studies are welcome – the deadline is Friday 31 May.
Read more about how to contribute
Contact: Ian Powling, Project Manager
NEWS: Changes to Jisc Procureweb
Jisc Procureweb, the providers of GeM, are changing their services. As of Wednesday 31 July 2013, JISC Procureweb will focus solely on developing and delivering GeM, the generic e-marketplace and contracts database. All other services currently offered will be decommissioned over the upcoming months. LUPC is currently investigating arrangements for the National Working Party websites to be hosted elsewhere. Please contact Joe Wells at GeM on 029 2087 0333 with any questions.
NEW RESELLER: National Education Printers Agreement (NEPA)
Kyocera Document Solutions UK Ltd, an official provider of print hardware, software and managed document services on the National Educational Printer Agreement (NEPA) has announced that its partner, European Electronique, is now an approved reseller on the agreement.
Read more details on GeM
Contact Mike Kilner, Senior Contracts Manager, tel: 020 7863 1694.
NEWS: In the pipeline…
Full information on new LUPC agreements and other planned tenders is available on LUPC’s website. We are confident that what’s currently ‘in the pipeline’ will be delivered. However, as situations do change from time to time, we would strongly advise Members to contact LUPC if they are interested in any of the agreements listed, for a fuller assessment of their progress and expected delivery date.
Read what’s in the pipeline…
NEWS: Procurement Competency Framework
A Procurement Competency Framework, developed by the BUFDG Professional Procurement Group, is now available for procurement professionals to use online. This toolkit contains three elements to assist procurement professionals across the sector in undertaking role management and professional development of themselves and their staff as appropriate; these are: the basic platform, the competency framework; the job description competency definition tool; and sample institutional job descriptions.
Access the tool on the BUFDG website
NEWS: HEPA e-newsletter
The first Higher Education Procurement Academy (HEPA) e-newsletter is now available. Each month, this e-publication will deliver up-to-date national news, events and developments on university procurement issues straight to BUFDG Members. The aim is to support procurement professionals in delivering excellent services and best value for their institutions, and to ensure the sector works collaboratively to help meet ambitious efficiency targets.
We’d welcome comments and suggestions for content for this newsletter – please forward these to Laura Compton, tel: 020 7863 1692. For more general information about HEPA, please contact info@bufdg.ac.uk
Read the e-newsletter
Read more about the Higher Education Procurement Academy (HEPA) - search ‘Academy’
ESTATES: Maximise savings for your estate
Many Members are familiar with LUPC’s Estates Maintenance Services agreement, but the consortium offers a wide range of other Estates-related agreements for services, supplies, installations and training.
Read more about LUPC’s Estates portfolio.
For further information contact Joyce Kadri, Contracts Officer, tel: 020 7863 1696.
MINUTES: Executive Committee
Minutes of the LUPC Executive Committee meeting held on Friday 22 March at the British Academy of Management are now available to read online.
Read the minutes
FEEDBACK: New IRLA Tender
SUPC has released their re-tender strategy for the Inter-Regional Laboratory Supplies and Chemicals Agreement (IRLA). The main recommendation is that consumables and chemicals are on separate agreements. LUPC Members can get involved in the following ways to ensure this new tender meets your institution’s needs:
1. Please feedback on the strategy and put your technical experts forward to join the tender working group. Members of the tender working group will work remotely from their institutions - meetings will be on the web or via telephone.
2. You could also help by emailing a list of your institution’s core range requirements and volume (12 months) to be considered in the IRLA Core Range.
To view the strategy and get involved in this re-tender, please contact SUPC Contracts Manager Effie Rigopoulou.
TRAINING: Free Legal Seminars
There are still a few places available for our free One-stop Shop Legal Seminar on Tuesday 28 May at the SOAS Brunei Gallery in Bloomsbury. This morning seminar will cover topics such as sickness and disability and reasonable adjustments, discrimination case law update, data protection and intellectual property. Please email Suzanne Stokes by Friday 17 May if you are interested in attending.
We are also holding a free Employment Law Seminar on Tuesday 18 June at the same venue. This will cover social media and employment, TUPE, the employment law implications of collaborations and outsourcing, and a redundancy and restructuring master class. Again, please email Suzanne Stokes by Friday 31 May if you are interested in attending.
TRAINING: Using Framework Agreements
Achilles Information Ltd is offering a half-day course on ‘Using Frameworks under the EU Rules’ at the Holiday Inn, Oxford Circus on Thursday 11 July, 9.45 – 12.45.
The course covers the key questions arising from the establishment and use of frameworks, including which framework to use and the use and scope for revision of award criteria. The training costs £85 + VAT per delegate.
Read more and register online
For further information contact Laura Taylor of Achilles, tel: 01235 838046
TRAINING: EU Update
Achilles Information Ltd is offering half-day ‘EU Update’ courses at the Holiday Inn, Oxford Circus on Tuesday 18 June and Thursday 24 October, 10.00 – 12.45 or 14:00 – 16.30. The training costs £85 + VAT per delegate.
The course will cover how the new directives will effect procurement for the public and utilities sectors; the effect on current contracts; the abolition of part B services; clarification on permissible exclusion and selection criteria; a definition of material change; plus several other, current issues.
Read more and register online
For further information contact Laura Taylor of Achilles, tel: 01235 838046
TRAINING: Managing Supplier Relationships
Our sister consortium, SUPC, has limited places still available on their Managing Supplier Relationships course on Monday 20 May, 10:00 – 16:00 at the University of Reading, and is opening these up to LUPC Members. The course costs £135 per delegate (including lunch).
This course is intended for professionals at all levels who deal with suppliers as a regular part of their job. It is aimed at those who need to build strategic supply relationships, as well as those who need to make the distinction in terms of time, effort and resources between strategic and tactical relationships.
Read the full course programme
To book, please complete the registration form at the end of this document and email it to Marion Hutchins.
AWARDS: Green Gown Awards 2013
The Environment Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) has launched this year’s Green Gown Awards. Now in their ninth year, the Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK. The deadline for universities and colleges to submit their Stage 1 applications is Wednesday 12 June.
Read more and apply online