Furniture NW
Framework Description
Furniture (FFE3158 NW) is an NWUPC framework for furniture for universities and other higher education institutions. It is a fixed-term agreement, not a DPS, running from 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2027. Three lots cover office, learning and communal spaces in Great Britain, the same spaces in Northern Ireland, and residential furniture in Northern Ireland.
Context & Use Case
Universities use it for office desks, chairs and storage, classroom seating and tables, library and study furniture and social space seating. Refurbishments and new buildings often need large volumes delivered and installed in a short window, so buying through a framework saves time and secures volume pricing. Members in Northern Ireland also have a residential furniture lot.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Office, learning and communal spaces (Great Britain) Lot 2: Office, learning and communal spaces (Northern Ireland) Lot 3: Residential furniture (Northern Ireland)
Lots
Lot 01 - Office, Learning & Communal Spaces (Great Britain); Lot 02 - Office, Learning & Communal Spaces (Northern Ireland); Lot 03 - Residential Furniture (Northern Ireland)
Who Can Apply
It suits furniture manufacturers and dealers that supply education estates in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Applications for this framework are closed and it ends on 30 April 2027, so suppliers not appointed should prepare for its re-tender, which is likely to be advertised around that date.
Buyer Benefits
Furniture projects are often tied to building handovers and term dates, so universities value suppliers that deliver and install on time at agreed prices. Buyers also look for durability, ergonomic design, recycled content and take-back schemes alongside price, and the residential lot lets Northern Ireland members furnish residences through the same agreement.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should focus on winning member refurbishment and new-build projects in the final months of the term. Others should check the lots on the NWUPC framework page and prepare for the re-tender ahead of 30 April 2027 with education fit-out case studies, product sustainability data, installation capacity and warranty terms.
How Athena Can Help
The Furniture framework ends on 30 April 2027, so its re-tender is the next way in. Our framework strategy and registration service positions your sustainability credentials and past projects for that tender, and prepares the selection answers early.
For appointed suppliers, our fit-out bid writing helps you win refurbishment call-offs with clear delivery plans, and our public sector bid costing helps you price large orders so they win and still deliver a profit.
