Award

University of Chichester Graduation Ceremonies - Academic Robing and Photography

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

14 Jul 2025 at 11:09

Award

28 Apr 2025 at 09:04

Tender

26 Feb 2025 at 13:57

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Chichester has successfully completed the procurement process for its graduation ceremonies' academic robing and photography, contracting William Northam & Company Ltd. The award, valued at £120,000, was finalised on 28 May 2025 and will extend through 28 April 2030. The procurement was conducted using an open competition method, below the threshold, with the contract covering services within the categories of special clothing and tailoring services, specifically delivered for ceremonies held at the Chichester Cathedral. This award marks the completion stage of the procurement process and was formalised on 14 July 2025.

This contract provides opportunities for businesses specialised in clothing, tailoring, and event management services, particularly those familiar with university ceremonies and large-scale events. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) well-versed in delivering high-quality personalised services tailored to the specific requirements of academic ceremonies are well-positioned to benefit from such opportunities. The emphasis on academia-related services highlights the potential for SMEs to leverage their flexibility and niche expertise to engage with similar institutional contracts.

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Notice Title

University of Chichester Graduation Ceremonies - Academic Robing and Photography

Notice Description

The University of Chichester is seeking a suitably experienced and skilled partner to work with on our graduation ceremonies. We want a provider that feels like an extension of our team, with the ability to achieve a smooth process for both our university events team and our students in the run up to and on the day of the events. Someone who offers robing and photography for the day as well as tickets for the graduands and guests for the event. We are looking for a partner who gives us clear communication on the specifications requested and deadlines in good time. This partner must have good people relationship skills as well as strong experience, skills and knowledge in this field. Overall, our aim is to give our students the best day and experience possible, so that all they need to worry about is what to wear or how best to celebrate! Currently, our graduation ceremonies take place twice a year, the first larger ceremonies focus predominately on our undergraduate programmes with the slightly smaller occasions later in the academic year for our postgraduate and non-traditional course routes. With the undergraduate currently taking place in September, however from 2027 onwards, these will be brought forward to July. Our postgraduate ceremonies will be in March. Our ceremonies are held at Chichester Cathedral where we have around 130 graduands per ceremony, with anywhere from 4-12 ceremonies at each event. The 3 key requirements are academic dress, photography, and ticketing. Graduand dress is black robes with a blue and gold hood, Staff to wear their own institutional robes, and senior team to wear high-quality blue jacquard fabric with gold detailing. Photography requires studios set up on location and photos of graduands receiving their awards. We require the supplier to undertake ticketing on our behalf and work with us to manage this.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e81b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039573-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

18410000 - Special clothing

98393000 - Tailoring services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
28 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Apr 202510 months ago
Contract Period
27 May 2025 - 28 Apr 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
tenders@chi.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHICHESTER
Postcode
PO19 6PE
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)

Local Authority
Chichester
Electoral Ward
Chichester North
Westminster Constituency
Chichester

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

WILLIAM NORTHAM

WM. NORTHAM

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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