CPL Group is an education sector owned charity comprised of not-for-profit procurement organisations (Crescent Purchasing Consortium and Tenet Education Services) that provide procurement support and services to educational establishments.
Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) produce purchasing framework agreements compliant with public sector procurement regulations and approved by the DfE, that allow schools to save time and money when buying goods and services.
Tenet Education Services offer expert procurement consultancy services to the education sector specialising in cleaning and catering procurement, tender support, managed procurement services, contract management and spend reviews.
Surpluses made by CPL Group are reinvested back to the education sector. CPL Group offer schools access to free procurement training specifically designed for the education sector, subsidised tender procurement consultancy support and an annual programme of grant funding to support student related events and activities.
Testimonials
Testimonial 1 for CPL Group
Invaluable support from CPC
"The CPC Framework and the help offered within has been invaluable in our recent tender process. The process has been clear throughout and any queries we have raised, have been answered thoroughly and efficiently. It has made the tendering process extremely easy to navigate and we have felt comfortable and supported at all times." Stacey Kotecha, Cobham Free School.
Testimonial 2 for CPL Group
Professional Service from Tenet
“Thanks Luke your professionalism and quick turnaround was fantastic I will definitely be recommending you.” Eleanor Donegan, School Bursar & Facilities Manager, Woodmansterne School
Woodmansterne School used Tenet's Building Cleaning Tender Service
Case Studies
Cost and time savings achieved with CPC’s IT hardware framework
Kings Norton Girls' School Sixth Form used the ICT Hardware and Peripherals Equipment framework and achieved such wonderful results they used it again shortly after the initial procurement!
The school had a requirement for 50 desktop computers with accompanying warranties. This was the first time they had used CPC's framework for the supply of their IT hardware and they experienced some fantastic benefits including time savings, cost savings and new supplier relationships.
Quicker turnaround times
The turnaround using the CPC framework was much faster than their previous IT procurements. Previously the school had contacted individual suppliers directly who were already known to them or had asked contacts in their network for supplier recommendations. Clare Skinner, Business Manager at the school and sixth form described the overall experience:
“Quick and easy – order placed within a week, no toing and froing or negotiation!”
Time savings
The framework enabled the school to save time as there wasn’t the need for negotiation due to cost effective bids they received via the CPC Quote Tool. The tool removed the requirement for them to contact three or more suppliers individually to gain quotes. The school just needed to input their requirements once on the CPC website and then the tool sent the request to all suppliers on the framework’s Desktop PC Solutions lot on their behalf. The suppliers then submitted their offering to the school via email for their review and selection.
Cost savings
The school were pleased to achieve cost savings of over £100 per item with the trade in amount included - this saving is measured against a quote from the school’s usual supplier. They were also delighted to form relationships with the fully vetted suppliers they accessed via the framework.
Overall experience
The school found the experience so brilliant that when asked if they would use the framework again, Clare Skinner, Business Manager said:
“We just ordered more IT equipment for the school via the CPC this week. It took 72 to hours to tender, quote and order more IT equipment with some being delivered today - fantastic!”
Jane Edwards, CPC’s Category Manager for AV and ICT said:
“It’s great to hear Clare had such a good experience using the framework and that the school saved money and time as part of the process. We look forward to Kings Norton Girls’ School & Sixth Form hopefully using more of our frameworks for their requirements. It is lovely to hear positive feedback, especially as this is the first framework I have let at CPC.”
Find out more at www.thecpc.ac.uk
Successful Collaborative Cleaning Project
A group of schools had a requirement for an experienced cleaning supplier who could improve cleaning standards across multiple sites.
Trinity Church of England School, Belvedere Junior School, Blackfen School for Girls and Woodland Academy Trust used Tenet’s Building Cleaning Service to conduct a tendering process to appoint one cleaning supplier across a total of six sites.
Our strategy
Tenet’s approach was to assign our locally based Senior Procurement Consultant Luke Wood to the project. Luke used his extensive cleaning procurement expertise and was able to understand the organisations’ aims and objectives and recommended the most effective route to market. Luke provided a tailored tender service to ensure an experienced supplier was appointed to improve cleaning standards and reduce contract costs.
Our expertise
Tenet developed a bespoke specification that included the individual site requirements, hosted site visits and presentations, evaluated tenders, created a recommendation report and developed contract documents for this project. Throughout the process Luke ensured compliancy was achieved and provided expert advice and guidance to the organisations. The project was conducted via a PCR 2015 Restricted Procedure route to market as that was agreed to be the most effective route to market for this particular project.
The outcome
Tenet successfully navigated a complex project which had different specifications and requirements across the sites. An experienced cleaning supplier was appointed to improve the standards and savings were achieved due to the reduced management costs and the sharing of machinery, due to a single supplier being appointed across several sites.
Find out how one of Tenet’s Procurement Consultants can help your institution procure a cleaning contract by visiting our Cleaning Procurement Service page or contact us:
Call: 01376 511 411 Email: mail@tenetservices.com
Offers
Enhance your skills
Our charity CPL Group funds a series of CPD accredited procurement courses on Crescent Learning so you can upskill without requiring the budget to do so, we’ve got it covered.
Join CPC for free!
Buy products and services whilst making time and cost savings! Our education sector purchasing frameworks are safe, easy to use and comply with the Public Contracts Regulations.
How it works
- Join CPC for free
- Select a framework for your purchase
- Get quotes from suppliers
Find out more at www.thecpc.ac.uk or 0800 066 2188
Subsidised tender support
Tenet Education Services On Demand tender support service offers tailored one-off tender support.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious new catering service, a fresh new cleaning service or need support with a different tender, Tenet’s specialist team will secure a service that meets the needs of your organisation. Please contact Tenet by email mail@tenetservices.com or call 01376 511 411 and ask about the 'CPL subsidy' for the On Demand service
Terms and Conditions apply.
Free SBM procurement training
Introduction to procurement e-learning course, free for CPC members. The programme features five CPD accrediated e-learning modules that cover the fundamental principles of good procurement practice. It has been specifically designed for School and Academy Business Managers and for those with responsibility for procurement in schools, academies or trusts. CPL…
Read full case study