Award

Prospective Student Engagement and Conversion Service for Keele University - AWARD

KEELE UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

16 Dec 2025 at 18:15

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Keele University has successfully awarded a contract for its Prospective Student Engagement and Conversion Service, as part of a completed procurement process under the 'Marketing services' category. The contract, valued at approximately £1.37 million GBP, has been awarded to QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. The service provision spans initially from the 1st of July 2025 to the 30th of September 2027, with options for two additional one-year extensions, potentially continuing until the 30th of September 2029. The procurement process was conducted using the open procedure method, and noteworthy dates include the tender submission deadline on the 31st of March 2025 and the contract award date on the 17th of September 2025. The contracting authority, Keele University, is situated in Staffordshire, West Midlands, United Kingdom.

The awarded contract presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in marketing services, particularly those adept in strategic engagement and conversion initiatives. The contract's focus on boosting conversion rates emphasises the potential for firms with innovative approaches and proven returns on investment to excel. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to explore similar opportunities, as the suitability criteria accommodate their participation. With considerable emphasis placed on management structure, key personnel, and methodology, it is particularly favourable for ventures capable of delivering comprehensive and integrated service solutions. As the demand for effective student engagement increases, providers in this industry can significantly expand their influence and build robust partnerships with educational institutions like Keele University.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Prospective Student Engagement and Conversion Service for Keele University - AWARD

Notice Description

Tenders are invited from interested parties for the Contract for the provision of a Prospective Student Engagement and Conversion Service for Keele University in accordance with the Tender Specification in Section 2 of the Invitation to Tender (ITT). The services required are fully described in the Tender Specification. All Tenderers are required to submit a compliant tender response in accordance with the tender requirements as set out in the Tender Specification. All tender responses will be subject to the Tender Evaluation Methodology as set out in the ITT. Main reasons for the decision not to sub-divide the contract into lots: Given the need for one Service Provider to co-ordinate the delivery of all of the services required, the contract has not been subdivided into lots. The contract will run for an initial period of twenty-seven months from 1st July 2025 to 30th September 2027 with options to extend for a further two twelve-month periods, reviewed annually, with a final end date of 30th September 2029. The decision of whether to take up the extension options will be down to the absolute discretion of the University. The estimated total value of the contract over its duration (including the extension options if these are taken up) is PS1.9 million excluding VAT. Award Criteria: Quality criterion - Name: Proposed Management Structure and Key Personnel for the Contract for the provision of a Prospective Student Engagement and Conversion Service for Keele University / Weighting: 200 marks Quality criterion - Name: Approach and Methodology for the delivery of the Contract for the provision of a Prospective Student Engagement and Conversion Service for Keele University / Weighting: 300 marks Quality criterion - Name: Conversion Rates and Return on Investment under the Contract for the provision of a Prospective Student Engagement and Conversion Service for Keele University / Weighting: 200 marks Price - Weighting: 300 marks

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-5bc9d020-e8c3-4ce7-9475-46478d21a718
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/90b84237-0d15-403c-bd07-afcfd1a831b3
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79342000 - Marketing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,374,890 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,374,890 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
30 Jun 2025 - 30 Sep 2027 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KEELE UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Darren Pearce
Contact Email
d.pearce@keele.ac.uk
Contact Phone
01782 734124

Buyer Location

Locality
WEST MIDLANDS
Postcode
ST5 5BG
Post Town
Stoke-on-Trent
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG24 Staffordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Electoral Ward
Keele
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle-under-Lyme

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

QS QUACQUARELLI SYMONDS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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