Procurement Information

University procurement follows one of two pathways: (1) collaborative procurement (through regional HE purchasing consortia); or (2) in-house tendering and contracting.

The University is a member of the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC). Further details on this consortium available
University contract and tender information is available at our University of Hertfordshire Electronic Tendering Site.

Responsible Procurement

Due diligence is undertaken during procurement processes to ensure economic, environmental and social matters are considered in addition to regulatory compliance.

Further information can be found about:

If wishing to contact procurement to bring to our attention any matter which may not be in line with our values please email categorymanagers@herts.ac.uk.

Procurement Strategy

Purpose

This document sets out the procurement strategy following consideration of all of the options, and their relative benefits and risks. The strategy is based on implementing the UH Sustainable Purchasing Policy and achieving best practice procurement values with synergy to the University vision of ‘transforming lives’ through employability, enterprise and business partnerships and the key strategic objectives in the strategic plan 2020-2025.

Vision

To demonstrate continuous improvement and the achievement of Value for Money through the effective procurement of goods and services to ensure that the institutions needs are met with alignment to University policies and strategies.To add value to tenders, contracts and purchases to ensure maximum outputs and ‘best in breed’ solutions achieved.

To have a clear framework of accountability and responsibility that adopts legally compliant, best practice procurement procedures and techniques.

To encourage communication and interaction with markets, contractors and stakeholders.

To achieve the best permissible position in the Procurement Maturity Assessment (PMA+) and embed Responsible Procurement encompassing Economic, Environmental and Social considerations into procurement processes.

To work towards embedding the Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9 and 12 in our approach to Responsible Procurement and supply chain sustainability, making global goals local business through the extension of the University’s operations, products and services, to better serve our needs both today and in the future.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Effective procurement triangle

Procurement triangle

Approach

The areas where procurement shall assist the University key strategic objectives are:

People and Values

Objective	Aim
Providing opportunities to attract, retain and develop individuals	Offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, discounted Sports Village memberships and family friendly-policies. Working with staff for personal and professional development and continuous improvement. Category Managers to be MCIPS professionally qualified staff. In house internal promotions for vacancies if the Head of Procurement feels staffs have the required attributes and knowledge to develop.
Building a diverse and inclusive community	Treat all colleagues and stakeholders with respect. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training for procurement staff. Embed EDI into procurement documentation and processes.
Responding with flexibility to the challenges of the changing world	Embed Responsible Procurement into procurement processes.

Objective

Aim

Providing opportunities to attract, retain and develop individuals

Offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, discounted Sports Village memberships and family friendly-policies.

Working with staff for personal and professional development and continuous improvement.

Category Managers to be MCIPS professionally qualified staff.

In house internal promotions for vacancies if the Head of Procurement feels staffs have the required attributes and knowledge to develop.

Building a diverse and inclusive community

Treat all colleagues and stakeholders with respect.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training for procurement staff.

Embed EDI into procurement documentation and processes.

Responding with flexibility to the challenges of the changing world

Embed Responsible Procurement into procurement processes.

Education and student experience

Objective	Aim
Providing opportunities to develop students’ skills for life	Working with contractors and the marketplace to ensure best fit solutions and results achieved to enhance the student experience and their future employability.
Working in partnership with our student community	Working with key suppliers to promote student interns and short-term placements to gain valuable professional and life skills within their workplaces.

Research

Objective	Aim
Engaging the community in impactful research partnerships	Working with stakeholders for innovation and to keep abreast of the latest technology and best practices for continuous improvement.

Global Engagement

Objective	Aim
Encourage a global outlook by our staff	Contract opportunities published on regulatory platforms to ensure circulation to wider audience.
Positively improve our community’s impact on our environment	Embed Responsible Procurement into procurement processes.
Strengthening our position as a university of choice for international students	Work with the international department to attract students from markets identified.
Developing international partnerships	Support the University and subsidiary companies in any international ventures.

Enterprise

Objective	Aim
Providing opportunities for students and graduates to pursue entrepreneurship	Working with contractors and the marketplace to ensure best fit solutions and results achieved to enhance the student experience and their future employability.
Welcoming businesses to our community in the University Enterprise Zone	To work in partnership with local businesses and charities to promote economic stability and good causes.
Offering flexible ways for businesses to work with us	The promotion of technology. Remove duplications or inefficiency.

Objective

Aim

Providing opportunities for students and graduates to pursue entrepreneurship

Working with contractors and the marketplace to ensure best fit solutions and results achieved to enhance the student experience and their future employability.

Welcoming businesses to our community in the University Enterprise Zone

To work in partnership with local businesses and charities to promote economic stability and good causes.

Offering flexible ways for businesses to work with us

The promotion of technology.

Remove duplications or inefficiency.