Information for Suppliers
APUC and its client institutions conduct their procurements in line with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016 and the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2015. APUC understands that suppliers navigating their ways through public sector tendering can put off some suppliers from bidding for contracts, particularly SMEs, third sector businesses and supported businesses. With this in mind, this section of the APUC website is aimed at providing suppliers with the information that they need and where to find other resources and help.
Supplier Guides - APUC has developed some useful guides to help suppliers understand the tendering process
- Legislation and Regulations
- Responding to Tenders
- Contract and Supplier Management
- Working with APUC
- UKUPC Supplier Guide to Tendering
Public Contracts Scotland - all APUC contracts are advertised on the Public Contracts Scotland portal. As well as contract opportunities, suppliers will also find details of forthcoming supplier events, news and case studies.
Supplier Development Programme - The Supplier Development Programme offers free training, support and information to SMEs and 3rd sector organisations interested in working with the public sector. Suppliers will also find there, details of external events that may be of interest.
Supplier Journey - The Scottish Government has created the Supplier Journey which provides guidance on the procurement process for the public sector in Scotland.
UKUPC Supplier Guide to Tendering (SMEs) - The UKUPC Guidance for Suppliers is aimed at SMEs who may seek opportunities to bid for public sector contracts. Please note that organisations who are interested in supplying products and services to Public Sector bodies in Scotland should refer to Public Contacts Scotland for details of up-to-date thresholds which take into account The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Ready for Business - Ready for Business is a third sector led consortium that provides support to businesses and public sector organisations and embeds social value in the procurement process through sustainable procurement.
Sector Contracts Register - All APUC's client institutions Contracts Registers can be accessed here
NOTE: Covid-19 and non-Campus Deliveries
We have been made aware that a number of fake purchase orders have been sent to companies / suppliers asking for deliveries to be made to locations other than the normal university and college on-campus delivery points. Please note that if you receive any non-routine POs from institutions with delivery addresses that are not clearly appropriate on-campus delivery addresses, then you should contact the institution's Procurement Team (based on the contact details for that Team on the relevant institution's website) to verify the PO before accepting it.
How to do business with us
Procurement is conducted in line with the Scottish Government Procurement Journey and the Suppliers’ Charter. For more information, click here to watch a short video on how to do business with APUC's Scottish University & College members.
APUC forward plan
The APUC forward plan provides all relevant information on the potential frameworks which may be advertised over the next 12-18 months.Public Contracts Scotland
The Public Contracts Scotland portal provides suppliers with a free, single point of access to Scottish contract notices and other information relevant to public procurement in Scotland.See our Buyer's Profile for access to:
- Current tenders
- Future tenders
- Past tenders
- Contact details for suppliers' enquiries (select the 'Other info' tab)
- Register your interest
Register on Public Contracts Scotland here.
Procurement activities above the European Union (EU) threshold are also advertised in the Official Journal of The European Union (OJEU). View the details at Tenders Electronic Daily.
How to do business with Universities and Colleges in Scotland through APUC
