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A practical guide to the new school uniform procurement rules and why schools and trusts should plan ahead for five-year retendering.
Name: Ben Jones 1. Tell us something interesting about yourself we might not know? – Before my injury I was on the cusp of making the British National Team for…….. As a toddler, I was escorted out of a house by Dennis Thatcher for stealing one of Margaret’s apples. 2. What’s your job title? – Senior Procurement
‘A day in the life of…’ Read More »
In this blog, we explore the key considerations for planning a successful above-threshold tender, including timelines, compliance requirements and procurement stages.
Planning a Successful Above Threshold Tender Read More »
Name: Lorraine Ashover 1.Tell us something interesting about yourself we might not know? – As a massive footie fan (Nottingham Forest and England) I was really excited to go to the Euros in Portugal in 2004. The golf resort I stayed at was also accommodating the BBC commentary team so one evening, after dinner, I got
‘A day in the life of….’ Read More »
Timing is one of the most important factors in running a successful below thresholdprocurement. Although these tenders do not have the same mandated minimumperiods as above threshold procurements, that does not mean the timetable should berushed. A well-planned process gives schools and trusts enough time to gatherinformation, prepare documents, engage bidders, evaluate submissions and allow
Planning a Successful Below Threshold Tender Read More »
Why Mobilisation Matters More Than You Think After Procurement In a recent webinar, Lorraine highlighted the importance of the mobilisation period. Based on herown experience – and also consulting with trusted suppliers – she explains some of the key issues,and solutions, to ensure that this crucial phase goes smoothly and lays the foundations for successfulcontract
The publication of the DfE’s Education Estate Strategy in February marked a step change in the delivery of estate management, capital funding, and the ongoing maintenance of the estate. It promises a decade of national renewal to address the well-documented condition and maintenance backlog affecting the education estate.
Guest Blog: Smarter Estates Planning for the Next Decade Read More »
The Procurement Act 2023: One Year On – what schools and Trusts need to know (and do) Part Two Following on from our “Part One” blog post we’re now going to cover off some more aspects of the Procurement Act 2023: One Year On. In this post we’re looking at Assessment Summaries, Standstill Periods and KPIs amongst other things! We’ve also got a round up of useful
It’s now a year(ish) into life under the Procurement Act 2023, and while a lot of the
principles will feel familiar, the practicalities have definitely shifted — especially around
transparency, conflicts, notices, and the Central Digital Platform.
Schools outsource services all the time — catering, cleaning, IT support — and most
procurement teams are confident navigating TUPE, pricing, and mobilisation. But there is
one area that repeatedly causes delays, disputes, and bidder anxiety: pensions, and
specifically the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
At the start of a new year you may be thinking about the future and where you might
want to be in a year’s time. Professional development is at the heart of career
progression and this week we have a guest blog from Lee Herridge, Director of
Professional Development and Sector Development at the ISBL which looks at the
practical steps you can take to move your career forward.
Guest Blog: ISBL Continuing Professional Development Read More »
At Minerva, full compliance with procurement regulations is not just a nice-to-have – it is at
the heart of everything we do. Our role is twofold: to ensure that the processes we run are
fully compliant, and to support and upskill our clients so that they can feel confident about
their own procurement activity.
Challenges To A Procurement Process And How To Avoid Them Read More »
The Procurement Act 2023 continues to reshape the public procurement landscape, and from 2026/27 the revised financial thresholds will apply when
determining whether a procurement must follow the full regulated procedures.
New Procurement Act 2023 Thresholds from 1 January 2026 Read More »
A little giving, a big difference – and a festive thank you As we head towards the end of the year, the team at Minerva has been reflecting on what matters most to us. This season naturally brings a bit of pause and perspective, and it’s a good reminder that even small actions can have
A little giving, a big difference – and a festive thank you🎄 Read More »
For maintained schools, academies, and MATs, running an effective and compliant procurement
process is essential — but sometimes the best decision is to abandon a tender and start again.
Whether your procurement falls under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA2023) or is a below-threshold
exercise, understanding when and how you can abandon a process helps protect the you from risk
and ensures fairness to bidders.
Abandoning a Tender Process: Practical Guidance for Schools, Academies and Trusts Read More »
Procurement is a crucial part of the UK public sector, ensuring transparency, competition, and value
for money. The Procurement Act 2023 introduced new tools as well as updates to existing ones,
helping contracting authorities (like you) procure goods, services, and works more effectively.
For many organisations, the end of a procurement process feels like the finish line. The tender has been completed, the preferred bidder selected, and the contract formally awarded. However, that’s not the end of the journey – it’s the beginning of the most important phase.
Why Contract Monitoring Is Where the Real Work Begins Read More »
The Procurement Act 2023 officially came into force on 24 February 2025,
marking a shift from the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. It’s therefore
the biggest change to procurement regs for a decade!
Navigating the Procurement Act 2023: Training, Resources, and Practical Advice Read More »
With the Procurement Act 2023 now in force, understanding how to run a compliant and
transparent procurement process does need a little more work on the basis of getting your
head around the new regulations.
What Tender Documents Do I Need to be Compliant With the Procurement Act 2023? Read More »
Zenergi explains what’s driving rising school energy costs and how schools can better protect budgets and plan sustainably.