Date Article
15th Sep 2022 Market Insight Summary - September 2022

Here is the latest Market Insight Summary, to provide members with an updated overview on the key issues affecting various markets and any suspected supply delays.

13th Jul 2022 How to use framework Terms and Conditions

CPC have produced the following guide to assist our members in how to use our framework agreements and advise members to use ‘call-off’ terms where possible

12th Jul 2022 Mini Competition checklist

CPC understand that procuring goods & services can be daunting, so we have put together a simple checklist to help guide you step by step through your mini-competition process.

13th May 2022 How to receive a sufficient number of quotations from suppliers

We have put together a step by step to guide for members on how to increase the quality and number of responses they receive from suppliers when submitting requests for quotations.

30th Mar 2022 Audit Services Market Update

Read the latest update on the Audit Services Market

29th Mar 2022 Market Insights Summary

CPC have put together the following Market Insights Summary to provide members with an updated overview on the key issues affecting various markets and any suspected supply delays.

9th Feb 2022 Transforming Public Procurement - Our response to the Green Paper

Following the recently published Government response to the Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper Consultation, we've prepared the following guidance for members and clients

13th Dec 2021 Not a school, college or university, but still offer educational services?

Did you know that you don’t have to be a school, college or university to apply for CPC membership?

25th Nov 2021 What are the new Public Procurement Thresholds for 2022?

New public sector procurement thresholds will come into force on 1st January 2022

3rd Sep 2021 Temporary and Permanent Staffing framework - 10 Top Tips

10 Top Tips to consider when using our Temporary and Permanent Staffing framework to conduct a further competition

2nd Feb 2021 The importance of wellbeing - what you can do to help yourself and others

One of the specialist HR Services Consultants on our HR & Payroll Services framework; Seymour John Ltd, provide us with their thoughts and expertise on the importance of wellbeing

29th Jan 2021 ICT equipment availability

CPC has been liaising with suppliers to find out the lead times and stock levels for high demand ICT equipment to help our members with sourcing equipment

28th Jan 2021 What to consider before bringing your catering service back in house

There are many matters to evaluate when deciding whether to ‘back source’ a contract and in this article we discuss three of the key considerations

26th Jan 2021 The benefits of CCTV for your institution

CCTV is a great tool for allowing your students and staff feeling safe on campus. This article will point out the reasons why you should consider a CCTV system

4th Jan 2021 Are you aware of what is impacting your electricity prices?

There have been significant changes in the cost of energy. It is important to understand the costs that make up your bill and what you can do to try to mitigate them, especially wh

4th Jan 2021 Impact of Covid-19 on the Outsourced Catering marketplace

We asked Tenet Education Services Catering Consultant, Jonathan Whittle what his thoughts were on the current catering marketplace.

14th Jul 2020 Five things I wish I had known before deciding on my energy provider

Procuring energy can be a long and confusing process yet it doesn’t have to be! This article includes a short list of considerations for buying an energy contract.

14th Jul 2020 Procurement activities to prepare for re-opening of schools and colleges

Following DfE’s guidance on reopening schools and colleges, consider how procurement might be called upon to support getting all students back in September.

25th Jun 2020 Making a framework work

In the first video of our Video Blog, Pat Condon explains how to make frameworks work for your institution

11th Jun 2020 “New normal” for building cleaning as educational institutions begin to re-open

This article provides tips and additional resources you can access to adapt your cleaning service to the “new normal”.

10th Jun 2020 What is a Dynamic Purchasing System?

This article explores what Dynamic Purchasing Systems are and how they compare to a traditional framework agreement.

10th Jun 2020 Putting social value at the heart of procurement

This article aims to provide some practical tips for including social value in procurement.

10th Jun 2020 Whatever next?

This article explains how maximising the operational potential of existing security and access control infrastructure can help to keep building occupants safe.

10th Jun 2020 The pros and cons of using an external security company

We take a look at the pros and cons specifically in relation to security service contracts in this article.

8th Feb 2021 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) FAQs

We have created a series of FAQs to support CPC members with the procurement of PPE.

20th May 2020 CPC’s Contracting Team are providing procurement support to the NHS

Read an interview with two of our Contracting Team who are collaborating with other procurement professionals to source PPE in the fight against COVID-19.

21st Apr 2020 Use the Master Vendor lot on CPC’s Temporary and Permanent Staffing framework

Read about the benefits of appointing a Master Vendor to take full responsibility for the sourcing and placement of your staff.

23rd Mar 2020 COVID-19 FAQs for CPC frameworks

A series of FAQs for utilisation of CPC frameworks while we navigate the COVID-19 crisis

10th Feb 2020 Procuring insurance in an FE college

Guidance for FE colleges when considering their insurance renewal process within an ever-changing further education landscape.

6th Jan 2020 Mini-competition process checklist

This simple checklist is available to help guide you through your mini-competition process

21st Nov 2019 Tendering for Outsourced Services

Access the slides from the Tendering Outsourced Services - Procurement Hints & Tips presentation at the Schools & Academies Show

13th Nov 2019 How to minimise modern slavery risks in your supply chain

New guidance on identifying and managing the risks of modern slavery in your procurement activity.

11th Jul 2019 Suspending an employee from work - issues to consider

The Court of Appeal recently held that there is no breach of the implied term of trust and confidence where there is reasonable and proper cause to suspend

11th Jul 2019 Freedom of Information – vexatious and costly requests

The Act offers procedural exemptions under section 14, relating to repeat and vexatious requests; and section 12, relating to excessive costs

11th Jul 2019 College oversight in the era of insolvency

On 22 May 2019 Hadlow College became the first College to be placed into Education Administration following an application by the Secretary of State

11th Jul 2019 New funding for further education will come with strings attached

FE will need to contend with scrutiny from The Office for Students to access funding prescribed by The Augar Review

11th Jul 2019 Tips for mitigating the risk of financial failure of your suppliers

Assessing your contract guidelines to ensure your institution is not left short by the financial shortfalls from your suppliers.

1st Mar 2019 A Journey of a CPC Procurement Apprentice

An interview with Jordan Robbins who has successfully completed his Level 3 Apprenticeship through our Procurement Apprentice scheme

10th Feb 2020 5 top tips for procuring energy

To help members get greater benefits and outcomes from their energy supply arrangements, we have developed 5 top tips.

9th Nov 2018 Local Authority Pension Transfers

A brief guide to the transfer of employees who are members of a Local Authority Pension Scheme

9th Nov 2018 Four reasons all educational institutions should maximise print technologies

This article details four reasons why all educational institutions should adopt a smart approach to print.

11th Oct 2018 College mergers & pensions

The government’s post 16 area review programme required colleges to consider their future, with increasing encouragement to merge.

11th Oct 2018 Does an Employer have to enhance Shared Parental Pay?

The decision by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in Capita Customer Management Limited v Ali provided welcome clarity on shared parental leave pay (“ShPP”)

11th Oct 2018 Proposals for ending sexual harassment at work

Recommendations have been recently announced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to tackle the problem of sexual harassment at work.

18th Oct 2018 E-tendering systems - is it now compulsory to use one?

All procurements that exceed the EU threshold must be conducted electronically post 18 October 2018.

3rd May 2018 12 months of CPC and Tenet Services

This year has flown by following the merger between CPC and Tenet. What a year it has been for the new group!

6th Apr 2018 Eight Top Tips for First Time Framework Users

We've compiled a list of handy hints for framework users...

1st Mar 2018 CPC Apprenticeship Scheme Interview

In October last year Crescent Learning launched an apprentice funding scheme to place 15 procurement apprentices in colleges across the country.

6th Feb 2018 How To Maximise The Number Of Quotations / Tenders From Suppliers

How to increase the quality and number of responses you receive from suppliers when you submit requests for quotations

6th Feb 2018 What Is A Framework?

A framework is a contract awarded normally to several suppliers (usually 3 or more), although technically it could be awarded to a sole supplier.

6th Feb 2018 1st Blog Post – New Year, New CPC

Welcome to the first ever edition of the new CPC monthly blog.