How to do business with the University
Benefits of doing business with us
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, in the top 10 of every national league table. We would be a valuable high-profile client to be referenced when endeavouring to win other contracts across the public and private sector.
We are a strong and stable organisation with a good record for paying its suppliers on time. The percentage of supplier invoices paid within 30 days during 2022-23 was 69%, with 76% paid within 39 days.
What we buy
As a large multi-disciplined research-intensive University, we spend £100m+ each year on goods and services as diverse as IT software, laboratory supplies, cleaning supplies, research equipment, consultancy services and large-scale construction.
How we buy
We are fair and transparent when buying goods and services. We follow the Public Contracts Regulations, as well as our own Procurement Regulations, to ensure appropriate levels of competition for lower value contracts. Our Procurement Regulations Flowchart shows this is reflected in our processes.
We compete our contracts based on our standard terms and conditions, not only to protect our interests (for example, in relation to data security), but also to ensure bids are evaluated on a consistent basis. Where we do not have a pre-agreed contract, we expect the purchase to be based on our Purchase Order Terms and Conditions.
We benefit from efficiencies and economies of scale by being a member of the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC), as well as from our close working relationship with the University of Leicester with whom we have a joint Procurement Strategy.
At the same time, we have a small & medium sized enterprise friendly procurement policy to guard against creating unnecessary barriers for smaller businesses interested in competing for our contracts.
We follow a No PO, No Pay Policy.
Identifying contract opportunities
We use the Delta e-tendering system for competing our £50k+ contracts. It is free for businesses to register on the system, which includes the facility for them to be notified of any relevant Loughborough contracts that are openly advertised.
Not just about price
We award contracts based upon the best overall bid; considering both price and quality.
We are keen to realise wider sustainability benefits through our contacts. For £100K+ contracts we invite social value submissions via the Social Value Portal as part of the tender.
We also seek expressions of interest in providing Loughborough students and graduates with internship and placement opportunities, when inviting bids.
Our Modern Slavery Statement explains how we endeavour to mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking within our supply chains.