Pre-Qualifications
Where the University needs to purchase a range of goods or services that are not already subject to an existing contract it will seek the necessary supplier information from various sources.
Provisional Suppliers
The University has two main ongoing reference points for identifying provisional suppliers for certain categories of goods and services:
- Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium(SUPC) - linked to existing regional and inter-regional consortia contracts and commodity group activities. The SUPC may be contacted by email
- GeM - the UK Higher Education buying database is operated by JISC Procurement. To make an enquiry please email team@procureweb.ac.uk or ring their Helpline on 02920 870333.
Approved lists of tenderers
The University does, from time to time, prepare its own approved lists for specific contracts as part of the pre-qualification to tendering process. A list of the contracts and forms for goods and services where the University has recently or is currently seeking applications can be accessed on this website under current tenders.
Application forms for approved lists of tenderers may be divided into as many as six main sections, depending upon the nature and complexity of the goods or services being purchased:
Company information
The questions in this section are designed to allow you to provide basic information on your company. This includes your main address for correspondence and contact name for the person dealing with contracts. The questions in this section are designed to ensure that Middlesex University knows exactly with whom it may be entering into a contract.
Technical Information
The University will use the information you supply here to assess whether your company is suitable for carrying out the types of work you want to be considered for.
In some instances, the application form may have a list of approved categories attached. You can apply for as many categories as you want, but you must provide details of referees for each category. These referees are contacted to obtain further information about your company's performance.
You should not ask to be considered for categories that you would sub-contract out totally.
Financial information
In this section you are asked for certain financial information relating to your company. You are asked to submit audited accounts and annual reports for your company for the last two or three years.
Please note that you must supply accounts for the actual company applying for admission to the approved list and not for the group or holding company of which your company may be part. The University will use the information you provide to assess the financial position of your company and to set contract limits. Most applicants will be considered for contracts up to a value of £40,000, regardless of having a strong long-term financial position. This is largely intended to help new businesses who may not yet have any accounts.
For works/services you are asked to provide information on your insurance cover. Your company must carry employers' liability (usually unlimited value) and public liability (at least £5m) insurance cover. If you are a sole trader or partnership you may not be required to carry employers' liability. For some specialist contracts you may be required to carry professional indemnity insurance, product liability insurance, or fire/contract works insurance.
Equality and race relations matters
Middlesex University is committed to ensuring that its employees and other stakeholders are not discriminated against on the basis of disability, age, sexuality or gender as well as race, colour, ethnic origin and religion. In accordance with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, the University shall require evidence from suppliers and contractors that they have effective race equality policies and processes in place and available.
Health and safety information
In this section you are asked questions relating to your health and safety arrangements.
If your company has less than five employees then you are not required to have a formal health and safety statement. However, the University Procurement Office require a written statement which covers some general points on your health and safety arrangements. Details for this written statement are provided in the application form.
Environmental sustainability
Middlesex University is committed to improving its own environmental performance through use of best available materials, practices and technologies. In order to achieve this aim, the University expects companies, from whom it purchases goods and services, to demonstrate similar levels of environmental care and commitment.
In this section you are asked if you have an environmental policy. If you do not, it will not prevent you at this stage from being considered for the approved list. However, you may be asked for further environmental information when you are invited to tender for specific contracts.
