Procurement and delivery

Service portfolio

Together we buy IT and content on the best terms

SURF members join forces to procure IT and content collectively. This strengthens our position in the market and enables us to make clear agreements on matters such as pricing, functionality, sustainability, privacy and security. Institutions benefit from suitable facilities, favourable terms of use and shared expertise - for optimum use in education and research.

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The added value of SURF

Joint procurement for maximum impact

As a sector, we act together towards the market, leveraging our scale to secure competitive contracts - with both large suppliers and innovative startups.

Unified approach in privacy and security

We perform sector-wide privacy and security analyses on applications and suppliers, so that we comply with laws and regulations and safeguard public values such as autonomy and data security.

Shared knowledge, seamless implementation

We share knowledge and expertise on procurement and facilitate the implementation of IT facilities within education and research - with a focus on support and ease of use.

What we offer within procurement and delivery

Procurement

SURF combines members' procurement needs and makes contractual arrangements with suppliers on their behalf, as well as providing contract and supplier management, transaction data and analysis.

Delivery

SURF supports and advises members and vendors in the procurement, delivery and application of the vendor portfolio. We have several channels:

Compliance

SURF performs overall risk analyses on suppliers and their applications. This provides institutions with the building blocks they need to make their own decisions on the secure use of these applications within their institution. If necessary, we make privacy and security agreements with suppliers for the entire sector and, where possible, beyond.

Community

Within SURF, members share knowledge and experiences regarding the ICT market, procurement and application possibilities, including through expert communities.

Collaboration in IT procurement and delivery

To ensure access to the most suitable IT services and products, members of the SURF cooperative combine their demands, needs, and requirements. Together, they approach the market, procure solutions, and collaborate in the adoption and use of services.

Establishing Strong Agreements

By joining forces within SURF, members gain a stronger position to negotiate solid contracts with major global IT providers, start-ups, and innovative EdTech companies. These agreements cover aspects such as functionality, interoperability, sustainability, privacy, and security. Together, we secure favourable terms of use and pricing benefits. SURF members are committed to upholding public values and protecting the sector’s sovereignty.

This approach is also beneficial for suppliers. They have a single point of contact to develop a tailored offer for a specific, sizeable target group in education and research.