We ensure that the very best value is achieved when buying goods and services centrally for academies whilst ensuring that all contracts meet statutory compliance requirements such as the UK Procurement Directives.
Demonstrating value for money is a conditional requirement of OAT’s funding from the ESFA, so it is vital that value for money is demonstrated throughout all of OAT’s purchases.
We encourage open and fair competition and welcome bids from new and established suppliers.
Expenditure on goods, services and works is a significant part of any academy’s budget. The OAT Procurement function currently influences around £67m of recurring contracts and is embarking on a new pipeline programme to deliver new national contracts which have the potential to influence approximately an additional £50m of expenditure and make access to a broad range of goods and services that will deliver time and cost efficiencies for all trust and academy customers.
For all OAT-derived tenders, environmental sustainability and social value is considered when designing the tender to help reduce environmental impacts and maximise on the ability of Procurement to bring social benefit to the local communities in which our academies are based. In addition, all centrally derived procurements adhere to OAT’s modern slavery statement and environmental policies.
We make use of an online tendering portal – currently EU Supply – through which the majority of above-threshold goods and services tender exercises are managed.
OAT’s current standard terms and conditions of contract can be found here.