HEFCE, SHEFC, HEFCW, CVCP, SCOP, COSHEP
Procurement Strategy for Higher Education
Reference M 26/96
September 1996
The electronic version of this publication contains the Contents, Introduction and Strategy only. The complete printed document including the Implementation Plan is available, priced £7.00 from HEFCE Publications.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Strategy
3. Implementation Plan
4. Appendices
- Appendix A: Terms of reference and Membership of the Joint Procurement Policy and Strategy Group
- Appendix B: Glossary
Procurement Strategy for Higher Education
1. Introduction
During 1996 the CVCP, SCOP, COSHEP and the three Higher Education Funding Councils reviewed their respective activities in promoting good procurement practices in higher education institutions.
They concluded that their activities should be brought together into one joint strategy under the control of a steering group. This group would represent all interests, and would co-ordinate and direct all activities on procurement.
The initial role of the steering group (Joint Procurement Policy and Strategy Group (JPPSG)) has been to develop a procurement strategy and a plan for implementation. Its continuing role is to oversee and monitor the delivery of the plan, taking whatever further action is necessary to ensure this happens, and to continue to promote and disseminate good procurement practice.
This document sets out the Joint Procurement Strategy (Section 2) and how it is to be implemented, by whom and when (Section 3). This is the first communication from the JPPSG. It is envisaged that the JPPSG will produce reports and issue guidance on a regular basis as the implementation plan is delivered.
2. Strategy
The joint procurement strategy is focused to achieve good procurement management and practice in higher education institutions, to enable them to obtain maximum benefits from efficient and effective use of resources.
The strategy will require commitment from heads of institution in addressing all non-pay expenditure, both recurrent and capital, in order to achieve value for money in the delivery and acquisition of goods, services and projects.
The elements of the strategy are to:
- Improve training and skills development.
- Benchmark to external standards of price and process performance.
- Improve procurement management information systems.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of procurement procedures and performance.
- Encourage standardised coding systems.
- Monitor the dissemination of good practice in procurement and outcomes from other elements of the strategy.
- Maximise the benefits to be obtained from the use and development of the purchasing consortia.
The joint procurement strategy provides a framework for improved procurement practice in higher education institutions.
An implementation plan has been devised within that framework to put it into practice. The plan explains and co-ordinates the activities of national bodies like the CVCP and Funding Councils, but also proposes action for institutions themselves, individually and through their regional purchasing consortia.
A glossary of terms used in the plan is at Appendix B.