These Principles are intended to provide an overview of the ethical standards and procedural requirements that Cardiff Metropolitan University strives to adopt in all its procurement business dealings, as well as provide background information into some of our business practices.
General principles
Cardiff Metropolitan University strives to conduct all business activities in a professional and ethical manner; to ensure fair and equal opportunities and treatment in both our direct and indirect supply chains; to ensure that business decisions are taken without prejudice or discrimination; that care is taken of the environment; that we operate our business with full regard for health and safety; and that the principles of social value are delivered through our tendering activity and contracts.
The university is accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and all university staff are paid the real living wage as a minimum.
We strongly encourage our suppliers and contractors to make a commitment to Living Wage Foundation and to endorse the principles detailed below.
Further Details
This page provides information about supplying goods and services to Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Ethical
Procurement Professional Code of Ethics
The university attempts to uphold strong ethical standards in all aspects of business. As a standard for the Procurement department itself, we follow the
Professional Code of Ethics of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.
Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies to all the activities of the university.
As a supplier/tenderer/partner/customer/agency providing services to the university, you should be aware of the university's obligations and its responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to provide on request access to recorded information held by it. One of the consequences of those statutory responsibilities is that information which the university holds about your organisation may be subject to disclosure, in response to a request, unless the university decides that one of the various statutory exemptions applies.
If, at any stage of the contracting process, you provide information to the university in the expectation that it will be held in confidence, then you must make it clear in your documentation which elements of the information to which you consider a duty of confidentiality applies. The use of blanket protective markings such as "commercial in confidence" will no longer be appropriate and a clear indication as to what material is to be considered confidential and why should be given. Whilst the university will use all reasonable endeavours to keep confidential and not disclose any information supplied and marked as 'commercial in confidence', we can only maintain that confidentiality to the limit allowed by the legislation.
The university cannot accept that trivial information or information which by its very nature cannot be regarded as confidential should be subject to any obligation of confidence.
In certain circumstances, and in accordance with the Code of Practice issued under section 45 of the Act, the university may consider it appropriate to ask for your views as to the release of any information before the university makes its decision as to how to respond to a request. In dealing with requests for information under the Act, the university has to comply with a strict timetable and it would therefore expect a timely response to any such consultation within five working days
In certain circumstances where information has not been provided in confidence, the university may still wish to consult you as to the application of any other exemption such as that relating to disclosure that will prejudice the commercial interests of any party. However the decision as to what information will be disclosed will be reserved to Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Community Benefits
Cardiff Metropolitan University seeks to incorporate
Community Benefits into all relevant procurement arrangements.
Equality & Diversity, Ethical Employment and Modern Slavery
The university upholds the principles of equality and diversity in all aspects of its procurement operations, including its direct and indirect supply chains, and does so in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Welsh Government's 'Ethical Employment in Supply Chains' code of conduct.
These principles and commitments are reflected in the University’s
Ethical Supply Chains Policy.
We require our suppliers and contractors to adopt a similar approach to that set out in our Ethical Supply Chains policy so there is a consistent and co-ordinated approach to the identification and eradication of all forms of inequality and modern slavery in these supply chains.
If any person has identified any employment practices in the University’s supply chains that may be considered to be unlawful or unethical, please email your observations to
whistleblowing@cardiffmet.ac.uk
The university is an accredited Living Wage employer and as such has pledged to ensure that all employees are paid the Living Wage as a minimum. To ensure equal treatment, in its key out-sourced contracts the university requires out-sourced staff who are directly working on our contracts to also be paid the Living Wage and to receive the wage increase each year, where we are legally able to do so.
Engaging with SME's, supported and local businesses
Opening Doors Charter
The University has signed up to Welsh Government's "Opening Doors" charter, which recognises the economic and sustainability benefits that can accrue from trading with businesses based in one's local area and ensuring that it is easier for smaller supplier to participate in public sector procurement.
It should be noted that this charter does NOT promote any scenario that introduces any discrimination or favouritism towards local suppliers.
In addition to the above the University has adopted the
Welsh Government Procurement Policy Notes 05/21 and 07/21 on SME friendly procurement and applies these policies where appropriate and permissable.
We continue to welcome all business opportunities with SMEs.
Welsh Procurement Policy Statement ('WPPS')
The University endorses the principles of the
WPPS. In the context of small, local and supported business, the University embraces principles 3 and 5.
In practice, this means the University:
includes the use of appropriate 'lotting strategies' in all relevant procurements
utilises the UK's selection questionnaire offering a UK wide consistent approach to pre-qualification
utilises an
electronic tendering tool to assist in making all opportunities open and accessible
accepts consortium or joint bids
applies fair payment terms of 30 days from receipt of a correct invoice
only applies 'financial turnover thresholds' where appropriate on a project requirement basis
publishes contract opportunity and contract award notices on Sell2Wales
do not assume that large suppliers deliver better value for money
complies with all procurement legislation especially the principles of non-discrimination, openness, fairness and transparency
adopt a wide-ranging approach of value for money which includes social value and encourage all our suppliers to do the same
continue to invest in the professional qualifications that all the Procurement team currently hold by through continual professional development to ensure we remain up to date with all UK and Welsh Government Procurement Policy guidance.
Further information on the above principles may be found on the supplier section of the
Sell2Wales website and support for businesses from Welsh Government may be obtained from
Business Wales.
Sustainability
Cardiff Metropolitan University recognises a wide definition of social value which includes sustainability. Sustainability is based upon engaging in developments that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Cardiff Metropolitan University procurement actively seeks to embed sustainability within all aspects of its' procurement activity.
Cardiff Metropolitan University's
Sustainable Procurement Policy is approved by Cardiff Metropolitan University's Board of Governors, and is consistent with Cardiff Metropolitan University's organisations Sustainability Policy. Further information regarding Cardiff Metropolitan University's engagement with all aspects of sustainability may be found
here.
Procedural
Payment Terms
Cardiff Metropolitan University's standard payment terms are 30 days from receipt of invoice.
The University is very conscious of the beneficial impact of on-time payment of creditor invoices.
However, our payment commitment is based on the receipt of correctly presented invoices. It must be noted that our terms of business dictate that any invoices received without a valid Purchase Order number will be rejected and returned to the supplier for correction and re-presentation.
Unsolicited Goods
Cardiff Metropolitan University does not accept liability or responsibility in any way whatsoever for any unsolicited goods or services. 'Unsolicited goods' means any goods received or services performed where the supplier is not in receipt of a valid instruction to deliver goods or proceed with the performance of services. In the vast majority of cases, the only method of communicating a 'valid instruction' is the supplier being in receipt of a valid Cardiff Metropolitan University Purchase Order.
In a limited number of cases, other methods of instruction to proceed are utilised, but these methods are only valid if agreed by both parties in writing, and in advance.
Consequently, unless a variation from Purchase Orders is agreed in writing, all delivery and invoice documentation must clearly display a valid Cardiff Metropolitan University Purchase Order number.
Any submitted invoices that are incorrect or incomplete will be automatically returned unpaid for correction and re-submission. Any invoices submitted where a Purchase Order or valid instruction to proceed has not been received by the supplier will be rejected.
