Procurement at Bath Spa University
Procurement at Bath Spa University is carried out in accordance with the University's financial regulations, its procurement strategy and its legal requirements as a public sector body, which means that it is subject to the UK Public Sector Procurement Regulations and Policies.
We are BSU
Bath Spa University is where creative minds meet. We employ outstanding creative professionals who teach and research across art, sciences, education, social science, and business.
Our main campus is the beautiful Newton Park next to the village of Newton-St-Loe on Bath's western fringes. We also have a campus at Locksbrook and facilities at Sion Hill and elsewhere in the city. There's also our BSU London campus in New College Hackney
We're committed to growing the regional economy by working with businesses to deliver growth through innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange. This commitment to community is evidenced in our desire to champion local businesses and micro, small and medium enterprises in our supply chain.
At BSU, we're immensely proud of our partnerships with the creative and cultural sector in Bath. Together, we support our community, our students and staff, and our valuable research and creative practice.
Financial governance
Bath Spa University is a UK higher education corporation under the Education Reform Act 1988, and is also an exempt charity, regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The Board of Governors is responsible for delivering value for money from public funds, taking into account guidance on good practice issued by the Office for Students (OfS), the National Audit Office, the Public Accounts Committee or other relevant bodies.
The BSU Procurement team
The BSU Procurement team is a small specialist team working to ensure the University obtains value for money in all the goods and services it purchases in line with the University’s Financial Regulations. Their procedures ensure the University is fair, open and transparent in its treatment of suppliers.
The Procurement team are responsible for planning and undertaking high value contracts (above £50k inc. VAT aggregated over 4 years) and offer support for lower value contracts purchased by colleagues in separate departments.
The Procurement team do not have direct control over purchases made by other departments, but there are governance and supporting procedures are in place to facilitate a self-service approach. The Procurement team works with colleagues and suppliers alike to drive value and reduce risk across supply chains that serve the University.
Financial GovernanceProcurement regulations
Our exit from the European Union presented the government with an opportunity to develop and implement a new procurement regime. The Transforming Public Procurement (TPP) programme aims to change how public procurement in the United Kingdom is regulated.
On 24 February 2025, the rules shaping how public bodies buy goods and services will change.
The Procurement Act 2023 will introduce measures to improve and streamline the way procurement is done and benefit prospective suppliers of all sizes, particularly small businesses, start-ups and social enterprises.
If your business supplies goods, works or services to organisations in the public sector, you need to know about the changes. You can find out more on the government webpages.
Transforming Public Procurement programme
Information for existing suppliers
Already a supplier? Looking for information on invoicing or accounts payable processes?
If you're already familiar with our systems but need further information on the procurement process, we've put all of our key documents on a separate page.
Info for existing suppliers
How can a small business become a university supplier?
At Bath Spa, we're committed to growing the regional economy by working with businesses of all sizes to deliver growth through innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange.
This commitment to community is evidenced in our desire to champion local businesses and micro, small and medium enterprises in our supply chain.
For more support on supplying to the High Education and public sectors, you might find these documents useful:
Tender opportunities
The University uses a range of different methods to identify and appoint suppliers. The process depends on the value, risk and market. Lower value requirements typically entails obtaining three quotes, and higher value opportunities take a more formal approach led by Procurement. Framework agreements and dynamic markets are used where appropriate. We're required to comply with the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) and open tender opportunities above the PCR thresholds are advertised.
How to register with BSU
If you're a supplier and interested in applying for a tender or staying up-to-date on tender opportunities please register on our eTendering system.
How to find work on Contracts Finder (CF) and Find a Tender Service (FTS)
It may also be of interest to use the Contracts Finder for contracts over £30,000 incl. VAT. and the Find a Tender service for high value contracts (usually above £200,000).
Registering for these services allows you to save your searches and receive email updates on present and future contract opportunities in the public sector.
Purchasing Consortia and Frameworks
Frameworks help public and third sector buyers to procure goods and services from a list of pre-approved suppliers, with agreed terms and conditions and legal protections. Further information on Framework Agreements and Dynamic Purchasing Systems is available on the Crown Commercial Services Procurement Essentials pages.
BSU are members of Southern Universities Purchasing Consortia (SUPC) who are part of UK Universities Purchasing Consortia (UKUPC).
UKUPC is a partnership between eight UK consortia who created a formal entity to support collaborative procurement within Higher and Further Education.
Where appropriate, we make use of frameworks from the SUPC or CCS, among others.
Goods and Services funded by grants
The University regularly receives grant funding with specific conditions relating to procurement advertising. For example, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grants require a lower tender threshold of £25,000.
Potential suppliers
We're always interested in proposals and tender applications from new suppliers. If you and your company are new to the higher education market, we've put together some important information on the best way to navigate the process. Please note that we don’t hold a list of ‘approved’ suppliers.
Terms and conditions
For information on our terms and conditions, please read through this document.
No purchase, no pay
At Bath Spa University, we operate a 'No Purchase Order, No Pay' policy that prevents invoice payment where a valid purchase order number does not exist.
Please ensure you have received an official purchase order before goods and/or services are delivered.
Guidance on supplying the public sector
New to supplying the public sector?
Suppliers can now access the ‘Supplier Guide to Tendering’ document created by the Joint Contracting Group for all suppliers on UKUPC frameworks on the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium website.
Framework agreement opportunities are advertised on both:
For information on how to start supplying the wider public sector via Crown Commercial Services, please visit their website.
Information for voluntary, community and social enterprises
Bath Social Impact Network brings together like-minded groups and individuals to improve and grow the social economy in Bath and North East Somerset. It’s run in partnership with Bath Spa University and 3SG.
Partners in procurement
Partners in Procurement is a group of public bodies based in the West of England.
The membership encompasses the four former Avon local authorities and representatives from a diverse range of public bodies, including local universities and colleges, blue light services and healthcare trusts.
Since 2007 the group has run annual events to encourage local businesses to supply to the public sector by showing them how to identify business opportunities and teaching them what is required from potential suppliers, particularly in the early stages of the tender process (supplier selection).
IT security specific requirements
- BSU are Cyber Essentials Plus certified. You may also require Cyber Essentials Certification if you’re bidding for contracts which involve handling sensitive and personal information or the provision of certain technical products and services.
- Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West (SWCRC) is a police/ private not-for-profit partnership, funded by the Home Office and owned by regional policing. They offer free and inexpensive cyber services (digital safety) for local SMEs and third sector organisations.
- BSU is committed to achieving PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance. Any software we purchase that relates to the handling of payment cards must have been developed to this standard.
Responsible procurement
Responsible procurement is the process of making purchasing decisions that meet BSU’s needs for goods and services in a responsible way that considers benefits to wider society and minimises its impact on the environment.
This is achieved by ensuring that the working conditions of its suppliers’ employees are decent, the products or services purchased are sustainable, where possible, and that socio-economic issues, such as inequality and poverty, are considered when making our purchases.
BSU has a Sustainable Procurement Policy. For more information on our wider approach to Sustainability, including our Strategy, please visit our Sustainability pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Existing suppliers
How do we update our contact/bank details?
Please contact accountspayable@bathspa.ac.uk. We will carry out some checks and require the request on Company Headed Paper.
We've changed our name and are now operating under the name 'X'.
To change your details with us, please email procurement@bathspa.ac.uk. You will need to provide evidence and a review of the changes will need to be made. Additional checks and novation of contract shall be required for contractual obligations.
In certain circumstances, this may not be acceptable.
In some circumstances we may request that the new company be set up as a new supplier with us and has its own, new, separate profile.
We have now merged with Y and will be operating under the name Z. Please update
To update your details with us, please email procurement@bathspa.ac.uk. We will need evidence from both parties.
As with 'Change of Name', a review will need to be made and contracts amended. In certain circumstances, this may not be acceptable. We may request that the new company be set up as a new supplier with us, having its own separate profile.
Potential suppliers
I have a service you may be interested in, can we arrange a meeting?
Please register on our eTendering portal explaining what goods and services you offer. Current opportunities that are open to interest will be advertised as per the 'Work with us' section.
We'd like to be considered in future tenders for 'X'. Is there a list?
If you'd like to be added to our list of suppliers to be alerted of future tender processes, please register on our eTendering portal explaining what goods and services you offer.
Current opportunities that are open to interest will be advertised as per the 'Work with us' section.