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About the buyer

The Open University is a higher education provider that runs procurement under the Procurement Act 2023 through its own procurement service. Tender opportunities are advertised on Find a Tender and managed through the university's Intend e-tendering portal. Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium membership gives access to a shared framework used across UK universities. Lower-value purchases can go through a Direct Request for Quote instead of a full tender. A business team advises organisations on the most suitable procurement route before a contract begins. Purchase orders and supplier invoices route through the SAP Ariba Business Network.

Education procurement reached £47.4bn in 2024/25, the fourth-largest public sector budget.

Over the past 5 years, most of The Open University's contract awards have been in business services, software and information systems and education and training.