Supplying goods, works or services to the University
Cardiff University, as a Public Sector organisation, follows Public Procurement Policy when contracting for goods, works, and services.
The University’s Procurement Services support and facilitate processes in accordance with the University Procurement Policy. Our outstanding procurement service offers value for money and innovation, while ensuring responsible and sustainable solutions.
Procurement Services are committed in contributing to Cardiff University reaching its emission reduction targets. Therefore, we endeavour to conduct every procurement responsibly, and achieve value for money, yet deliver optimum Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact throughout the life cycle of the product or service that has been procured.
Suppliers are reminded that in advance of any goods being delivered or works and services commencing, they should be in receipt of a valid Cardiff University Purchase order, unless via Purchase Card payment. Failure to do so will result in delays to payments being made.
Responsible Procurement
Our new Responsible Procurement Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct sets out our vision of building an inclusive, responsible, and resilient future, and to bring ESG benefits to the University. This includes a reduction in Scope 3 emissions, fair labour practices in our supply chain, and regulatory and policy compliance.
Contract opportunities
Opportunities to supply the University with goods, services, or works with a total contract value of over £30,000 including VAT, are advertised on Sell2Wales.
We encourage you as a supplier to register on Sell2Wales. The benefits include:
- free registration and access to the site
- using Buyer Search, to promote your company to buyers
- email alerts of opportunities matching your business
- a search public sector and sub-contract notices
- opportunities to contact public sector and registered organisations
- access to resources to assist quoting and tendering
Register against the categories relevant to the goods, services, or works your company supplies, so that you only receive notifications about relevant contract opportunities.
Cardiff University terms and conditions
The University’s standard terms and conditions for the purchase of goods and services, or the engagement of consultants supported by a Statement of Works, will be the entire agreement for purchase orders, save where the University and supplier have signed a separate written agreement.
We are currently updating our Terms and Conditions documents. Versions of these documents in Welsh will be completed soon and uploaded to our website.
Further support
Cardiff Business School is accredited with the Small Business Charter. They also deliver a 12-week programme designed to be manageable alongside full-time work.
This programme will support small business leaders to develop strategic skills with 12 key modules. Covering a range of skills, these modules will help them to develop a tailored sustainable business growth plan which will lead their business to its full potential. In terms of costs to business leaders, the programme is 90% subsidised by UK Government, costing business owners only £750 for the full programme.
Work with industry experts to learn how to enhance your management and strategic capabilities, develop your value proposition, and embed innovation into your business practice, products, and services, while improving employee engagement. You will also importantly understand how to build resilience for future economic shocks through improved market, financial, and technological support. Further benefit from one-to-one mentoring, peer mentoring, and an exclusive alumni network, is also available.
For more information, please visit Small Business Charter or the Help to Grow page and for registration, please visit H2GM Registration.
Business Wales provides business support to people starting, running, and growing a business. Their support for business includes information, advice, and guidance delivered online, over the phone through the Business Wales Helpline, and face to face through Business Wales centres.
Business Wales also offers contract and tender support specifically for SMEs. Tender advisors are based throughout Wales, and work with SMEs and the third sector to develop their capacity, run workshops, and help complete tender documents.
For further information on tendering, please visit Business Wales.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Procurement Services pride ourselves in supporting the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives happening in the University. This includes us being:
- accredited with a Bronze Athena Swan Charter award and currently working towards the Silver award, which is an equality charter mark accreditation scheme that encourages progression of gender equality in Higher Education and Research institutions
- involved in the University taking an intersectional approach to Athena Swan to consider how Race and Gender oppression intersect, in addition, we have applied for the Race Equality Charter mark
- a University of Sanctuary, this recognises our good practice in welcoming, supporting and empowering people seeking sanctuary
- a part of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2024 – we are accredited with a silver award for LGBTQ+ inclusion
- involved in a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans + (LGBTQIA+) staff network called Enfys for our staff – we are also happy to include staff from suppliers who don't have their own staff network to take part in our network events throughout the year
To be included on the Enfys email list, please send your contact email address to enfys@cardiff.ac.uk and we will ensure you are kept updated. All information sent to the network is handled in confidence.
Modern Slavery
We are committed to identifying signs of modern slavery in our supply chain, and each year we publish a Modern Slavery Statement.
The Home Office guidance provides clear and up to date information regarding Modern Slavery awareness.