A DPS for sustainable and ethically sourced goods and services, delivering social value in local communities'

Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (BWCET) are seeking to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of commonly used goods and services from a wide range of suppliers to create an ethical and sustainable supply chain to deliver social value in local communities.

Education Commercial Services (ECS) is the trading name of Bishop Wilkinson Commercial Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (BWCET) who provide specialist procurement services to the education sector.

Education Commercial Services (ECS) is focused on providing high quality commercial support to the education sector with a specific focus on supporting the North East region. Our goal is to ensure we use the most effective and compliant route to market for the customer, taking into account their individual objectives whilst identifying savings, social value benefits and supporting the local economy and communities.

Although ECS currently has a focus within the education sector in the North East, the DPS will be available and open to the full Public Sector to access an ethical and sustainable supply chain for commonly used goods and services across all regions within the United Kingdom (UK).

The DPS has been designed and set up to have a focus on ethical and sustainable practices across suppliers and their supply chain to drive social value outcomes

The DPS will create the following benefits across all sectors, locations and suppliers:

• support local SMEs, charities and social enterprises by providing a platform for growth thereby supporting the local economy
• increase the creation of social value within the following themes: Covid-19 Recovery, Tackling Economic Inequality, Fighting Climate Change, Equal Opportunity and Wellbeing
• reduce impact on the environment, whether this be carbon, water, waste reduction and/or circular economy principles
• encourage 10-day payment terms for suppliers and subcontractors to support local businesses
• create supplier awareness and encourage suppliers to embed new working practices in relation to ethical supply, sustainability, community and employee support throughout the supply chain

When applying to the DPS suppliers, are required to indicate which categories they are applying for, in order to be invited to the relevant competitions. Customers will use the categories to shortlist appointed suppliers and invite them to further competition

The three (3) categories compromise of:

• Service Category
• Geographical Location
• Additional Capabilities