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Coursework Specification
1 Module Information
1.1 Module Title Procurement and Supply Chain Management
1.2 Module Code Number KB7035
1.3 Module Level and Credit Points Level 7, 20 credits
1.4 Module Leader Dr. Victor Samwinga
1.5 Coursework Title Procurement Report
1.6 Coursework Specification Author Dr. Victor Samwinga
1.7 Academic Year and Semester(s)
SEM1 2021-22
2 Coursework Submission and Feedback
2.1 Release Date of Coursework Specification to Students
17:00 BST on 1 October 2021
2.2 Mechanism Used to Disseminate Coursework Specification to Students
Assessment and Submission folder on Blackboard module
2.3 Date and Time of Submission of Coursework by Students
11:59 PM on 13 December 2021
2.4 The mechanism for Submission of Coursework by Students
Turnitin digital submission portal in Assessment and Submission folder on Blackboard module
2.5 Return Date of Unconfirmed Internally Moderated Mark(s) and Feedback to Students
11:59 PM on 31 January 2022
2.6 The mechanism for Return of Unconfirmed Internally Moderated Mark(s) and Feedback to Students
Turnitin digital submission portal and/or My Grades on Blackboard module
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3 Assessment Details
3.1 Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs) Assessed by Coursework
1. MLO 1 – Establish a conceptual understanding of procurement and supply chain strategies within
the built environment projects. 2. MLO 2 – Implement and critically evaluate appropriate procurement processes by which
construction projects and services are acquired from internal and/or external sources. 3. MLO 3 – Identify and critically evaluate appropriate client requirements to develop respective
procurement and supply chain strategies that enable project success, business benefits and overall sustainable operations.
4. MLO 4 – Embrace professionalism, demonstrate multi-disciplinary skills and apply expert and specialised knowledge in the field of construction project management.
5. MLO 5 – Embrace intercultural cooperation through consciousness, responsible and professional ethical conduct in a reflexive way.
3.2 Coursework Overview
Context Statement: The construction sector continues to face many project delivery challenges such as time and cost predictability. The need to identify and critically evaluate client requirements to develop appropriate procurement processes has never been more important for project managers, clients and the industry at large. This assessment requires the submission of an individual piece of coursework. It requires the production of a procurement report that engages with the knowledge base as well as the project and client-specific characteristics. It is to be written from the perspective of an inhouse procurement specialist who is making a theoretically- , and evidence-, informed project-delivery strategy report.
This task is worth 100% of the module and addresses all Module Learning Outcomes.
3.3 Coursework Tasks to be Completed by Students
CLIENT PROJECT BRIEF
As part of Riverside Sunderland Masterplan, the Sunderland City Council plans to build 1,000 homes to
rent and buy, with community facilities and social infrastructure for a population of 2,500. The proposed
project seeks to create a unique place to live, i.e. a carbon-neutral community in a stunning landscape
setting in the heart of a great industrial city. With an extensive walking and cycling network and easy
access to public transport, Riverside Sunderland will encourage healthy living and reduce car
dependency. Smart homes will be digitally enabled for comfort, convenience and energy efficiency.
Community facilities will promote sociability and active citizenship.
Following the recent entry of the insurance giant, Legal and General, into the housing market, others are
keen to get involved too. In particular, Vitality Life has secured (for the purposes of this task) a
collaboration with the Sunderland City Council, as the primary funder, to deliver the vision for the
Riverside development project, specifically, the 1,000 homes.
The first 800 homes will be delivered in four new neighbourhoods: Vaux, Farringdon Row, Ayre’s Quay
and Sheepfolds. As the new community takes shape other opportunities will come forward, notably in the
Heart of the City. 45% of the new homes (367 units) will be south of the river, at Vaux, Farringdon Row
and Ayre’s Quay, and 55% (445) north of the river, at Sheepfolds.
The majority (72%) will be houses and maisonettes including 378 3/4-bedroom family houses. The
development will aim to achieve a relatively high density of around 74 homes per hectare across the
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whole site, with a limit of less than one car parking pace per dwelling, due to the big push to reduce car
dependency and promote active travel.
Key Programme Features are described below:
1. standardised designs,
2. more accurate market intelligence,
3. providing jobs, training and supply-chain opportunities for Sunderland residents and businesses,
4. reduced costs with an ambitious 15% target,
5. improved programme certainty,
6. reduced risk, and
7. greater innovation and improved relationships across the supply chain.
Key Project features are described below:
1. Substantial cost savings,
2. Innovative, high-quality designs and sustainable standards,
3. Flexible use of space,
4. Tight construction programme with improved programme certainty,
5. Collaborative working by integrated team, across Client and Contractor teams,
6. Commitment to local economy, and
7. Improved employment and skills outputs.
The Council put forward its land assets in this partnership with Vitality Life who will, in turn, provide the
finance for the £160 million development, with both parties sharing equally in any development profit
where a development achieves a positive land value.
Although planning approval for the scheme has not yet been granted, planners are confident that this will
be secured. Although the Council’s inhouse estates team has technical construction expertise, they have
no capacity to design and project manage a scheme of this magnitude. They are therefore now seeking to
procure the necessary expertise to move the project forward:
• Necessary consultants to Help in getting the project off the ground by January 2022.
• Construction contractor(s) and such other specialists as are necessary to carry out the various
elements of construction work.
• The council’s own inhouse estates team has some initial ideas which they’re keen to explore with
the selected consultant designers.
• The client is undecided on whether to award the entire project as one contract or to break it into the
four natural packages, according to the four new neighbourhoods, namely: Vaux, Farringdon Row, Ayre’s
Quay and Sheepfolds.
• The client is also undecided as to what other key consultant it needs to Help in the securing the
completed project in order to achieve completion by September 2023.
As the only one with procurement expertise within the Local Authority’s inhouse estates Team, you have
been tasked to develop a report (refer to “Tasks to be completed by students” for further details) to guide
the council in the procurement of the various works and services required on this major redevelopment
project. The client is eager to use this project to improve the image of the North East as well as to attract
investment to Sunderland.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENTS
Based on the client project brief above, prepare a high level but comprehensive procurement
report for the client, which:
1. Provides a ‘road map’ for the Local Authority, demonstrating how you should procure each
of the works and services, how the client can ensure that the scheme is completed within
budget and on time, how the client and funding partners will be involved at each stage of
the process, and other specific consultants and project participants you propose they
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should procure and their primary roles in the process. In the submitted report, due
consideration should be given to:
a) Identifying the client and stakeholder needs based on this brief and associated
documentation,
b) the most suitable procurement arrangement, bearing in mind the variety of options,
c) the most suitable main standard form of contract to support the overall strategy,
d) The most suitable tendering strategy for obtaining the most economically
advantageous tender,
e) the mechanism for pricing and agreeing the price for the project,
2. Provide a critical analysis of how the Sunderland City Council and its development partners
might be able to achieve their broad aim of driving efficiencies through the supply chain
and thereby save 15% of total construction and design costs.
Additional instructions to students: Your report should be well presented, with a one-page executive summary (no more than 250 words) at the beginning of the report, followed by contents page, an introduction, main body and overall conclusion/recommendation(s) at the end of your report. All the above should be submitted under a suitable front cover, stating ONLY your student registration number, assignment title, this module’s code and tutor name. Your report must be well structured and formatted including a contents page, page numbers, suitable headings and sub-headings within the main body, and a declaration of your word count. Please note there is a maximum file size limit (20MB) on submissions to Turnitin and students must be aware of this when preparing their report. Reports submitted by the due date and time due to their file size will be treated as late submissions.
3.4 Expected Size of Submission
▪ The upper maximum limit for this work is 4,000 words. This word count includes:
▪ Any executive summary. ▪ The main body of text. ▪ In text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)]. ▪ Direct quotations from primary or secondary source material. ▪ Title & Contents page. ▪ Words within tables, figures, and illustrations. ▪ Reference list. ▪ Bibliography (if also provided). ▪ Appendices. ▪ Glossary. ▪ Footnotes.
▪ Figures (diagrams, illustrations, photographs etc.) and tables are welcome to support the text, but must be fully incorporated into the submission, integrated and following the text that fully explains why they are exhibited. 200 words will be counted for each separate figure/table used.
▪ The work must form a structured and coherent whole. ▪ A contents page is required, including a basic front sheet for the submission, that identifies the
student number (not name), the total number of words used (including references section), and the number of figures/tables used.
▪ ‘Footnotes’/’Endnotes’ will be permitted, as they can offer sufficient value, providing, their use is minimal, sufficiently concise, and appropriate – they offer only ‘clarifying’ information, or add ‘adjacent’ value to the sentences already written. In other words, they are not to be used to ‘hide’ words that would otherwise normally be expected to be contained within the main body of the text, and their use will be considered in accordance with the University policy regarding word limits.
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3.5 Referencing Style
You are to write your coursework using the Cite Them Right version of the Harvard referencing system. An online guide to Cite Them Right is freely available to Northumbria University students at: https://www.citethemrightonline.com/
3.6 Assessment Criteria
Marks will be awarded based on the marking matrix attached to this coursework (refer to Appendix A).
4 Referral
The Referral Attempt opportunity will generally take place after the end-of-level Progression and Awards Board (PAB). If you become eligible to complete a Referral Attempt but are subsequently unable to undertake the opportunity when required, you will be permitted to re-sit the module at the next scheduled sitting of the module assessment. This will typically entail the suspension of your progression on your programme of study until such time that you have completed the level and become eligible to proceed.
5 Guidance for Students on Policies for Assessment
The University has several policies for assessment. The following information, which is available to you from the link below, provides guidance on these policies, including relevant procedures and forms.
(1) Assessment Regulations and Policies (a) Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (b) Group Work Assessments Policy (c) Moderation Policy (d) Retention of Assessed Work Policy (e) Word Limits Policy
(2) Assessment Feedback (a) Anonymous Marking Policy
(3) Late Submission of Work and Extension Requests (4) Personal Extenuating Circumstances (5) Technical Extenuating Circumstances (6) Student Complaints and Appeals (7) Academic Misconduct (8) Student Disability and Unforeseen Medical Circumstances
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching- excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/
https://www.citethemrightonline.com/
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/
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APPENDIX A: Assessment criteria / marking scheme
HIGHER
DISTINCTION (>79%)
DISTINCTION (70-
79%)
COMMENDATION
(60-69%)
PASS (50-59%) FAIL (40-49%) POOR FAIL (0-39%)
PRESENTATION (15%)
Presentation
(structure/style,
logic/rigour, grammar
and spelling, references)
DEMONSTRATES
OUTSTANDING
ABILITY TO:
Present the work
paying attention to
structure/style,
logic/rigour, grammar
and spelling,
references
DEMONSTRATES
EXCELLENT ABILITY
TO:
Present the work
paying attention to
structure/style,
logic/rigour, grammar
and spelling,
references
DEMONSTRATES
GOOD ABILITY TO:
Present the work
paying attention to
structure/style,
logic/rigour, grammar
and spelling,
references
DEMONSTRATES
ADEQUATE ABILITY
TO:
Present the work
paying attention to
structure/style,
logic/rigour, grammar
and spelling,
references
DEMONSTRATES
INADEQUATE
ABILITY TO:
Present the work
paying attention to
structure/style,
logic/rigour, grammar
and spelling,
references
DEMONSTRATES
LITTLE OR NO
ABILITY TO:
Present the work
paying attention to
structure/style,
logic/rigour, grammar
and spelling,
references
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AND INTRODUCTION
(5%)
Write an introduction
section and
comprehensive executive
summary that includes
are the key elements
including purpose or
report, background,
proposals and key
conclusions
DEMONSTRATES
OUTSTANDING
ABILITY TO:
Write an introduction
section and
comprehensive
executive summary
that includes are the
key elements including
purpose or report,
background, proposals
and key conclusions
DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENT ABILITY TO: Write an introduction
section and
comprehensive
executive summary
that includes are the
key elements including
purpose or report,
background, proposals
and key conclusions
DEMONSTRATES GOOD ABILITY TO: Write an introduction
section and
comprehensive
executive summary
that includes are the
key elements including
purpose or report,
background, proposals
and key conclusions
DEMONSTRATES ADEQUATE ABILITY TO: Write an introduction
section and
comprehensive
executive summary
that includes are the
key elements including
purpose or report,
background, proposals
and key conclusions
DEMONSTRATES INADEQUATE ABILITY TO: Write an introduction
section and
comprehensive
executive summary
that includes are the
key elements including
purpose or report,
background, proposals
and key conclusions
DEMONSTRATES LITTLE OR NO ABILITY TO: Write an introduction
section and
comprehensive
executive summary
that includes are the
key elements including
purpose or report,
background, proposals
and key conclusions
DETAILED
PROCUREMENT PLAN
FOR THE CLIENT (50%)
A detailed procurement
plan providing a ‘road
map’ for the client,
demonstrating how you
propose they should
procure each of the
works and services, how
the client can ensure that
the scheme is completed
within budget and on
time, how the client will
be involved at each
stage of the process, and
other specific consultants
and project participants
you propose they should
procure and their primary
roles in the process,
giving due consideration
should be given to the
most suitable
procurement
arrangement, the main
contract, tendering
arrangements and the
mechanism for pricing
and payment for the
project.
DEMONSTRATES
OUTSTANDING
ABILITY TO:
A detailed procurement
plan providing a ‘road
map’ for the client,
demonstrating how you
propose they should
procure each of the
works and services,
how the client can
ensure that the
scheme is completed
within budget and on
time, how the client will
be involved at each
stage of the process,
and other specific
consultants and project
participants you
propose they should
procure and their
primary roles in the
process, giving due
consideration should
be given to the most
suitable procurement
arrangement, the main
contract, tendering
arrangements and the
mechanism for pricing
and payment for the
project.
DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENT ABILITY TO: A detailed procurement
plan providing a ‘road
map’ for the client,
demonstrating how you
propose they should
procure each of the
works and services,
how the client can
ensure that the
scheme is completed
within budget and on
time, how the client will
be involved at each
stage of the process,
and other specific
consultants and project
participants you
propose they should
procure and their
primary roles in the
process, giving due
consideration should
be given to the most
suitable procurement
arrangement, the main
contract, tendering
arrangements and the
mechanism for pricing
and payment for the
project.
DEMONSTRATES GOOD ABILITY TO: Develop a detailed
procurement plan
providing a ‘road map’
for the client,
demonstrating how you
propose they should
procure each of the
works and services,
how the client can
ensure that the
scheme is completed
within budget and on
time, how the client will
be involved at each
stage of the process,
and other specific
consultants and project
participants you
propose they should
procure and their
primary roles in the
process, giving due
consideration should
be given to the most
suitable procurement
arrangement, the main
contract, tendering
arrangements and the
mechanism for pricing
and payment for the
project.
DEMONSTRATES ADEQUATE ABILITY TO: Develop a detailed
procurement plan
providing a ‘road map’
for the client,
demonstrating how you
propose they should
procure each of the
works and services,
how the client can
ensure that the
scheme is completed
within budget and on
time, how the client will
be involved at each
stage of the process,
and other specific
consultants and project
participants you
propose they should
procure and their
primary roles in the
process, giving due
consideration should
be given to the most
suitable procurement
arrangement, the main
contract, tendering
arrangements and the
mechanism for pricing
and payment for the
project.
DEMONSTRATES INADEQUATE ABILITY TO: Develop a detailed
procurement plan
providing a ‘road map’
for the client,
demonstrating how you
propose they should
procure each of the
works and services,
how the client can
ensure that the
scheme is completed
within budget and on
time, how the client will
be involved at each
stage of the process,
and other specific
consultants and project
participants you
propose they should
procure and their
primary roles in the
process, giving due
consideration should
be given to the most
suitable procurement
arrangement, the main
contract, tendering
arrangements and the
mechanism for pricing
and payment for the
project.
DEMONSTRATES LITTLE OR NO ABILITY TO: Develop a detailed
procurement plan
providing a ‘road map’
for the client,
demonstrating how you
propose they should
procure each of the
works and services,
how the client can
ensure that the
scheme is completed
within budget and on
time, how the client will
be involved at each
stage of the process,
and other specific
consultants and project
participants you
propose they should
procure and their
primary roles in the
process, giving due
consideration should
be given to the most
suitable procurement
arrangement, the main
contract, tendering
arrangements and the
mechanism for pricing
and payment for the
project.
HOW TO DRIVE
EFFECIENCIES
THROUGH THE
SUPPLY CHAIN (20%)
Provide a critical analysis
of how the Sunderland
City Council and its
development partners
might be able to achieve
their broad aim of driving
efficiencies through the
supply chain and thereby
save 15% of total
construction and design
costs
DEMONSTRATES
OUTSTANDING
ABILITY TO:
Provide a critical
analysis of how the
Sunderland City
Council and its
development partners
might be able to
achieve their broad
aim of driving
efficiencies through the
supply chain and
thereby save 15% of
total construction and
design costs
DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENT ABILITY TO: Provide a critical
analysis of how the
Sunderland City
Council and its
development partners
might be able to
achieve their broad
aim of driving
efficiencies through the
supply chain and
thereby save 15% of
total construction and
design costs
DEMONSTRATES GOOD ABILITY TO: Provide a critical
analysis of how the
Sunderland City
Council and its
development partners
might be able to
achieve their broad
aim of driving
efficiencies through the
supply chain and
thereby save 15% of
total construction and
design costs
DEMONSTRATES ADEQUATE ABILITY TO: Provide a critical
analysis of how the
Sunderland City
Council and its
development partners
might be able to
achieve their broad
aim of driving
efficiencies through the
supply chain and
thereby save 15% of
total construction and
design costs
DEMONSTRATES INADEQUATE ABILITY TO: Provide a critical
analysis of how the
Sunderland City
Council and its
development partners
might be able to
achieve their broad
aim of driving
efficiencies through the
supply chain and
thereby save 15% of
total construction and
design costs
DEMONSTRATES LITTLE OR NO ABILITY TO: Provide a critical
analysis of how the
Sunderland City
Council and its
development partners
