The University and College Sectors, particularly in Scotland, have been at the forefront of procurement collaboration for many years.  At the heart of APUC’s core vision and mission statement, the Strategic Sourcing team provides, and contract manages a suite of appropriate Framework Agreements driven by Institutions’ requirements and needs, informed by user intelligence groups, the sector’s Procurement Strategy Groups (PSG), supplier involvement and the annual Contracting Priorities Workshop. This is facilitated by a client relationship management approach.  

The Strategic Sourcing team operates on a category management basis strategically focussing on the four main categories: Estates, Corporate & Laboratories and Information Services. The team works with sector members to create, shape and implement Framework Agreements that optimises collaborate uptake, drives efficiencies and delivers benefits. 

The Estates category covers everything from the creation of a building and the maintenance of its fabric and plant to the operations within and around it, including Construction and related services, Facilities Management Operations, Catering Supplies and Services, supply and repair of Furniture, Furnishings and Textiles, Janitorial & Domestic Supplies & Services, Utilities, Workshop & Maintenance Supplies (including Engineering), Health & Safety & Security, Vehicles & Fleet Management.

 

The Corporate category combines general, professional and HR services and is vast and varied in nature. Predominantly made up of service-based commodities but also including a couple of goods related Framework Agreements such as Hair and Beauty and Arts and Craft Materials. The nature of many of the corporate agreements operate in some form of regulated environment, meaning they can be complex and work and adapt alongside the regulations. 

The Labs category includes a range of commodities including Lab Equipment (general, high value and specialist imaging), lab consumables and chemicals, uniforms and all veterinary supplies and equipment.  

The Information Services (IS) category team aims to provide procurement routes for cutting edge technology, software applications and digital content. 

A specialist supporting area within the Strategic Sourcing team is Responsible Procurement who manage APUC’s sustainable / responsible procurement programme. They embed sustainability into all of APUC’s Framework Agreements and work with the team on tools such as SCM Section 1 and EcoVadis. The Responsible Procurement team also offers a tailored service to member institutions to assist in implementing Responsible Procurement in institutional / category plans and tenders covering aspects such as climate change, wider environmental impacts, social value and human rights / modern slavery.

The Strategic Sourcing Team receives a wide range of enquiries from both suppliers and universities/colleges. While the team remains available to provide support, you may also find our Frequently Asked Question (FAQ’s) section as a good point of reference.