Published
By Ashley Cox
CPC help institutions around the UK meet their procurement challenges via expert advice and information, but some might consider our purchasing frameworks to be our bread and butter. More than 9,800 CPC members have access to these compliant buying agreements, with City of Sunderland College one of those delighted to have reaped the financial benefits of CPC’s framework support.
Providing students with A Level, T Level and vocational courses spanning their Sunderland, Hartlepool and Northumberland campuses, the College engaged Lot 2 of our ICT Hardware & Peripherals Equipment in pursuit of T-Level laptops and were left extremely happy with the help received.
With alumni including BBC TV presenter and Kenickie frontwoman Lauren Laverne and 2000s indie-pop contenders The Futureheads, the North East institution became registered CPC members in 2004 with their membership enabling them to approach us directly with their framework requirements.
By engaging Lot 2 of our ICT Hardware & Peripherals Equipment agreement, City of Sunderland College could initiate competition among a selection of up to 15 suppliers, vetted and approved by CPC. The result was a £2,684 saving, underscoring the value for money that CPC frameworks can drive.
Katrina Foster, Strategic Procurement and Contracts Manager for Sunderland College, commented:
“We had a very short time frame, but received a good response that met our Financial Regulations.
“The tender process, in its simplest form, was super easy and the over process was very efficient.
“The suppliers we ultimately went with, CCS Media Ltd., were very proficient and knowledgeable.
“We would gladly make use of this framework again, if needed - it increased our value for money”.
CPC’s ICT Hardware & Peripherals Equipment offering is one of 17 compliant purchasing frameworks in our extensive catalogue to be approved by the Department for Education, with the DfE regularly assessing such agreements against outlined criteria for the benefit of institutions across the sector.
To learn more about CPC’s ICT Hardware & Peripherals Equipment agreement and its lots spanning the provision of Desktop PC Solutions, Portable Device Solutions, Peripherals and Apple Solutions, CPC members (as well as those considering joining) are encouraged to visit the framework page or contact the Contract Manager, Jane Edwards, who will be able to provide additional information.