Sustainable Furniture Solutions
Framework Description
Sustainable Furniture Solutions (reference FFE2010 NE) was let by NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium). It covers new furniture for offices, residences, teaching and social spaces, plus refurbishment and redistribution services, in 12 lots. Applications for this framework are closed (it is not a DPS), and it runs to 14 July 2028 with an option to extend by 24 months to 14 July 2030. This framework is used by APUC, SUPC and NWUPC.
Context & Use Case
University estates, residences and catering teams use it to furnish everything from lecture theatres and cafés to student bedrooms, and to extend the life of existing furniture through refurbishment or redistribution, including via an e-marketplace. The lot structure lets buyers go to specialists, for example for smart lockers or AV-integrated furniture, rather than relying on one generalist supplier.
Scope of Services
Lots 1-2: Refurbishment / Repair / Re-Upholstery; Redistribution / Re-Use (with e-marketplace option) Lot 3: Offices and Office Style Spaces Furniture Lots 4-5: Student Accommodation / Residential Furniture; Beds and Mattresses Lots 6-7: AV/IT Integrated/Secure Furniture; Smart/Secure Lockers and Storage Lot 8: Lecture Theatre, Auditoria and Arena Seating Lots 9-11: Front of House Catering/Cafe; Indoor Social Space; Outdoor Social Space Furniture Lot 12: Specialist Ergonomic Furniture and Associated Services
Lots
Lot 1: Furniture Refurbishment / Repair / Re-Upholstery; Lot 2: Furniture Redistribution / Re-Use (including option to provide/use e-marketplace); Lot 3: Offices and Office Style Spaces Furniture; Lot 4: Student Accommodation / Residential Furniture (Bedroom, Kitchen, Bathroom); Lot 5: Beds and Mattresses; Lot 6: AV/IT Integrated/Secure Furniture; Lot 7: Smart/Secure Lockers and Storage; Lot 8: Lecture Theatre, Auditoria and Arena Seating; Lot 9: Front of House Catering/Cafe Furniture; Lot 10: Indoor Social Space Furniture; Lot 11: Outdoor Social Space Furniture; Lot 12: Specialist Ergonomic Furniture and Associated Services
Who Can Apply
Closed to new applications until NEUPC re-tenders, which is due by 14 July 2028, or 14 July 2030 if extended. The narrow lots give specialist SMEs, such as upholsterers, locker makers or seating manufacturers, a realistic route in next time.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers can match each fit-out to a specialist, and the refurbishment and re-use lots help them keep furniture in use for longer, which supports carbon and waste targets. As a consortium framework used in England and Scotland, it also gives institutions terms negotiated at scale.
Next Steps
Read the NEUPC notice on Find a Tender (051565-2025) for lot scope and award criteria. Appointed suppliers should target call-offs from member institutions of all the consortia that use it. Others should pick the one or two lots that best fit, build higher education case studies and sustainability evidence, and plan for a re-tender from mid-2028.
How Athena Can Help
Twelve lots means a supplier can compete where it is strongest, but only with a sharp, lot-specific bid. For appointed suppliers, Athena's bid support builds win themes and pricing for each call-off. For those outside it, our framework application service plans for NEUPC's next tender and prepares sustainability evidence and case studies, while help with public sector bids covers lot choice and the bid/no-bid decision, from first approach to award.
