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Promotional Merchandise

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

02 Nov 2026 at 14:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC) is preparing a framework for promotional merchandise and clothing for its member institutions, with some products also sold directly to students. The proposed merchandise range includes technology products, desk accessories, bags, safety and leisure products, drinkware, ceramics, stationery, gifts and branded clothing. The separate proposed clothing lot covers items such as hats, sweatshirts, polo shirts, jackets, trousers, ties, aprons and shirts. Both lists are non-exhaustive, and the proposed lot structure may change before the tender is published. Merchandise sales to students are expected to include a webshop route, but suppliers would not have to provide a webshop. Delivery is across the United Kingdom.

This is at the planning stage: NWUPC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to shape its strategy and future tender documents, rather than inviting bids. It plans to gather views through a survey, closing on 10 November 2026, and a question-and-answer drop-in session on 11 November 2026. The next notice is expected on 18 November 2026. The existing framework is due to expire on 30 April 2027. The proposed replacement is a framework agreement with an expected term from 1 June 2027 to 30 April 2030, with a possible extension to 30 April 2031. The estimated gross value is £30 million. NWUPC has not yet set out the final lot structure, procurement procedure, eligibility conditions or evaluation criteria.

The proposed scope is relevant to suppliers of promotional products, branded merchandise, clothing and workwear, including businesses able to supply a broad mix of product types to universities and their students. The two proposed lots may allow suppliers to focus on general merchandise or promotional clothing, although NWUPC says the structure is not final and may change. The process is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. Suppliers with the ability to sell directly to students may find the planned student sales channel relevant; for the merchandise lot, operating a webshop is optional rather than a condition. NWUPC is seeking market input to inform its approach, so suppliers with views on the proposed range, lot structure or delivery model can contribute during the planned engagement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Promotional Merchandise

Notice Description

NWUPC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of the strategy and tender documentation for the retender of the Promotional Merchandise framework which is due to expire on 30th April 2027. The forthcoming 2027 framework agreement includes the following proposed lot structure, though please note this is not yet finalised and is subject to change before tender publication: Lot 1 Promotional Merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the following scope; technology products, desk accessories, bags, hardware and safety products, key lights and torches, leisure and sports products, drinkware and ceramics, home and living products, key chains, badge holders and stress relievers, notebooks and portfolios, writing instruments, hats, sweatshirts, polo shirts, sweaters, hi vis vests, fleece jackets, cardigans, hoodies, varsity jackets, vest tops, padded jackets, bomber jackets, trousers, body warmers, shorts, ties, aprons, tunics, scarfs and shirts. This lot covers both sales to participating member institutions and direct student purchases through a webshop facility. It is not a mandatory requirement that awarded suppliers are able to offer a webshop facility. This list is not exhaustive. Lot 2 Promotional Clothing includes, but is not limited to, the following scope; hats, sweatshirts, polo shirts, sweaters, hi vis vests, fleece jackets, cardigans, hoodies, varsity jackets, vest tops, padded jackets, bomber jackets, trousers, body warmers, shorts, ties, aprons, tunics, scarfs and shirts and will also include direct sales to students This list is not exhaustive. NWUPC are seeking the input of the market through the use of an engagement survey which is available at the following link: https://fyczm.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2ZCqtUdJrQb2wFMqYqNIg4Q The survey will close on 10th November 2026 at 23:59pm. Prior to completing the survey, please read the supporting information on the current sector agreement for Promotional Merchandise available at: https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/nwupc-updates/preliminary-market-engagement-opportunity-promotional-merchandise-tender/ Additionally, a market engagement Q&A Drop-In Session shall be held on 11th November 2026 at 11am via Microsoft Teams; joining information is below: Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3868178041070451?p=lJyMB6I2pvIHKknged Meeting ID: 386 817 804 107 045 1 Passcode: Qd9ar6jH

Planning Information

NWUPC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of the strategy and tender documentation for the retender of the Promotional Merchandise framework which is due to expire on 30th April 2027. The forthcoming 2027 framework agreement includes the following proposed lot structure, though please note this is not yet finalised and is subject to change before tender publication: Lot 1 Promotional Merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the following scope; technology products, desk accessories, bags, hardware and safety products, key lights and torches, leisure and sports products, drinkware and ceramics, home and living products, key chains, badge holders and stress relievers, notebooks and portfolios, writing instruments, hats, sweatshirts, polo shirts, sweaters, hi vis vests, fleece jackets, cardigans, hoodies, varsity jackets, vest tops, padded jackets, bomber jackets, trousers, body warmers, shorts, ties, aprons, tunics, scarfs and shirts. This lot covers both sales to participating member institutions and direct student purchases through a webshop facility. It is not a mandatory requirement that awarded suppliers are able to offer a webshop facility. This list is not exhaustive. Lot 2 Promotional Clothing includes, but is not limited to, the following scope; hats, sweatshirts, polo shirts, sweaters, hi vis vests, fleece jackets, cardigans, hoodies, varsity jackets, vest tops, padded jackets, bomber jackets, trousers, body warmers, shorts, ties, aprons, tunics, scarfs and shirts and will also include direct sales to students This list is not exhaustive. NWUPC are seeking the input of the market through the use of an engagement survey which is available at the following link: https://fyczm.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2ZCqtUdJrQb2wFMqYqNIg4Q The survey will close on 10th November 2026 at 23:59pm. Prior to completing the survey, please read the supporting information on the current sector agreement for Promotional Merchandise available at: https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/nwupc-updates/preliminary-market-engagement-opportunity-promotional-merchandise-tender/ Additionally, a market engagement Q&A Drop-In Session shall be held on 11th November 2026 at 11am via Microsoft Teams; joining information is below: Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3868178041070451?p=lJyMB6I2pvIHKknged Meeting ID: 386 817 804 107 045 1 Passcode: Qd9ar6jH

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0795b8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103796-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

22 - Printed matter and related products

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

18100000 - Occupational clothing, special workwear and accessories

18530000 - Presents and rewards

22900000 - Miscellaneous printed matter

30192121 - Ballpoint pens

30192130 - Pencils

39294100 - Information and promotion products

79342200 - Promotional services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Nov 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2027 - 30 Apr 2030 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALFORD
Postcode
M6 6FP
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD34 Greater Manchester South West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Salford
Electoral Ward
Pendleton & Charlestown
Westminster Constituency
Salford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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