---
title: "Responsible Procurement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (SUMS)"
published: "2025-10-15"
---

# Responsible Procurement

Buyer: SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (SUMS)  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1.json)

## Summary

The ongoing procurement process, titled "Responsible Procurement," is spearheaded by Southern Universities Management Services (SUMS) located in Reading, United Kingdom. This initiative, aimed at elevating responsible procurement practices in higher education and the public sector, involves a comprehensive framework tackling modern slavery, ethical supply chain diligence, social value, ESG, EDI, and consultancy services. The process is currently in the planning stage, with a key milestone set for 28th November 2025 for preliminary market engagement. The procurement method centres on a framework agreement and encompasses both services and goods within the United Kingdom, having met the above-threshold criteria.

This tender presents significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs in the fields of software support, package and consultancy services, social research, business management, and environmental services. Its broad scope and emphasis on ethical practices allow firms proficient in these areas to contribute to impactful public sector improvements while expanding their client base. Businesses with innovative solutions in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas or capacities in modern slavery due diligence are particularly well-suited to compete for this contract, which promises collaboration and renewal prospects until 2029, with potential extensions up to 2030.

## Notice

The framework will be designed to help higher education institutions and the wider public sector achieve responsible procurement outcomes across a number of key areas. It aims to cover aspects such as modern day slavery & ethical supply chain due diligence, social value, ESG, EDI, and varying consultancy services.

### Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=97532&B=

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065595-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 30 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Oct 2026 - 28 Sep 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (SUMS) |
| Locality | READING |
| Post town | Reading |
| Postcode | RG6 6BU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ16 Berkshire West |
| Local authority | Wokingham |
| Electoral ward | Hillside |
| Westminster constituency | Earley and Woodley |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services
- 98 - Other community, social and personal services

### Codes

- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 48100000 - Industry specific software package
- 72261000 - Software support services
- 72266000 - Software consultancy services
- 72318000 - Data transmission services
- 79315000 - Social research services
- 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
- 79411000 - General management consultancy services
- 90700000 - Environmental services
- 98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services

## Release History

- 15 Oct 2025 at 12:48 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065595-2025
- 10 Oct 2025 at 11:00 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064121-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065595-2025
  15th October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064121-2025
  10th October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=97532&B=
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.supc.ac.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05aca1.json.