Australian Universities Procurement Network

AUPN has the support of Universities Australia and is managed through its professional services company, Higher Ed Services.

AUPN Mission Statement

To significantly improve strategic procurement practices in Australian Universities through a collaborative approach, focusing on sharing expertise and business intelligence, promoting the benefits of aggregated purchasing, greater efficiency in processes, professional procurement education opportunities and encouraging the development of regional and national aggregated procurement contracts.

History Behind the Creation of the AUPN

The Australian Universities Procurement Consortium initiative (AUPC) was based on successful university purchasing consortia operating in the UK. A group of university strategic procurement managers believed that Australian universities could achieve lower point-of-sale pricing by co-operating through strategic procurement initiatives and sought to develop a national initiative.

In October 2002, the potential for a collaborative strategy through a consortium of Australian universities was discussed. The model proposed resulted in 26 universities providing start-up funding to test the model, with the expectation that this would be returned in later years if and when the consortium had generated sufficient business contracts to cover operating costs.

This funding was applied to the appointment of a Development Director, review of ACCC requirements, university procurement policies, the development of tendering documents and standard contracts, legal costs in establishing an industrial gases contract, Mitsubishi rebate and Thrifty Car Rental arrangements.

In 2006, following a successful pilot programme, a grant was applied for and received under the WPP from DEEWR for the establishment of the ANHEP Benchmarking Programme. Twenty-nine (29) Australian universities participated in benchmarking 12 commodities and services and the Procurement Process in the universities, over three years.

From 2003 to 2009, the AUPC Executive Committee has been fully funded with a yearly contribution from HES, volunteer time from various universities and HES staff support. By 2008, the AUPC had determined that the Initiative had evolved beyond the original purpose and recognized a much broader opportunity to gain benefits for the sector. A more sustainable approach was adopted and Strategic Plans developed for a new subscription model which would achieve far more than just dollar savings for the sector through improved communications, strategic initiatives, benchmarking and as national support.

The Australian Universities Procurement Network was born.

The structure of the AUPN in 2012 includes Standing Committees and Working Groups to focus on adding value to the sector in sustainability in procurement, advancing the development of procurement and the people driving it and working with the strength of the universities for the common benefit of all through collaborative agreements.

Surveys

Surveys are a continuing aspect of the AUPN to validate the directions of the AUPN initiatives and ensure all value propositions are aligned with all AUPN universities.

Discounts

Discounts have been negotiated for training, conferences and forums, available to all AUPN participating universities.

Funding Opportunities

The Procurement Capabilities Standing Committee has made possible funding for Training and Development opportunities for 2011 through to 2013.

Workshops and Forums

AUPN workshops are made available as needs arise and offer fully interactive discussions and case studies.

The National Finance and Procurement Conference

The National Conference for the university sector is held each year in July. The AUPN participates fully in the conference, providing an opportunity for the universities to come together, share streamed procurement events and meet with suppliers in the Exhibition hall.