Tender

SU76(25) Provision of Online Learning - Student Marketing and Recruitment Services

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

01 Sep 2025 at 14:38

TenderUpdate

04 Jun 2025 at 13:26

Tender

04 Jun 2025 at 12:01

PlanningUpdate

31 Mar 2025 at 14:43

Planning

31 Mar 2025 at 13:37

Summary of the contracting process

Swansea University embarked on a procurement process entitled "SU76(25) Provision of Online Learning - Student Marketing and Recruitment Services" to enhance its online learning offerings. The contract was intended to start in August 2025, covering services related to advertising, marketing, and recruitment for online programmes, with a contract value estimated at £1,200,000 inclusive of VAT. Initially planned in the UK region, this open procurement process was aimed at engaging sub-central government authorities under Welsh devolved regulations, with key dates included for enquiry and submission stages in June and July 2025. However, the tender, following an open procedure, reached the award stage and was ultimately cancelled on 29 August 2025, as it did not draw an adequate number of bids to assure value for money.

This tender could have offered substantial growth opportunities for businesses involved in the marketing and recruitment services sectors, especially those equipped to deliver comprehensive strategies for student engagement in online learning environments. It was particularly well-suited for firms with SME status that could provide creative and cost-effective solutions to meet quality and budgetary needs. Although the initial tender was cancelled, this signals potential future opportunities in strategic partnerships or renegotiations once the scope and budget reassessment by the University is completed.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

SU76(25) Provision of Online Learning - Student Marketing and Recruitment Services

Notice Description

The University is seeking to award a 3-year contract, to commence in August 2025 with an option to extend beyond the initial 3-year period for a further period of 2 years (3+1+1) to develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and recruitment strategy for online learning programmes.

Planning Information

Prior Information Notice published on 17/12/24 - (2024/S 000-040538). Request for Information issued

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fab6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052891-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
2 May 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
James Thomas
Contact Email
j.r.g.thomas@swansea.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+441792987353

Buyer Location

Locality
SWANSEA
Postcode
SA2 8PP
Post Town
Swansea
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL4 Mid and South West Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL43 Swansea
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swansea
Electoral Ward
Sketty
Westminster Constituency
Swansea West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04fab6-2025-09-01T15:38:27+01:00",
    "date": "2025-09-01T15:38:27+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04fab6",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PTNV-7472-GRTW",
            "name": "Swansea University",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PTNV-7472-GRTW"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Procurement, Finance Dept.",
                "locality": "Swansea",
                "postalCode": "SA2 8PP",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKL18"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "James Thomas",
                "email": "j.r.g.thomas@swansea.ac.uk",
                "telephone": "+441792987353"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.swansea.ac.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS",
                        "id": "GB-WLS",
                        "description": "Welsh devolved regulations apply"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PTNV-7472-GRTW",
        "name": "Swansea University"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Prior Information Notice published on 17/12/24 - (2024/S 000-040538). Request for Information issued",
                "dateMet": "2025-01-20T00:00:00Z",
                "status": "met"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "012030-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012030-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-31T14:37:15+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "012067-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012067-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-31T15:43:22+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "SU76(25)",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "SU76(25) Provision of Online Learning - Student Marketing and Recruitment Services",
        "description": "The University is seeking to award a 3-year contract, to commence in August 2025 with an option to extend beyond the initial 3-year period for a further period of 2 years (3+1+1) to develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and recruitment strategy for online learning programmes.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79340000",
                        "description": "Advertising and marketing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79600000",
                        "description": "Recruitment services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 1200000,
            "amount": 1000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2025-08-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-07-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-07-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 1200000,
                    "amount": 1000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 70,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Cost",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 30,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "1+1"
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-05-02T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "complete",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "012067-2025",
                "description": "Amendment to estimated value of requirement - PS1,200,000 (inc VAT)"
            },
            {
                "id": "029908-2025",
                "description": "Amendment to estimated contract value"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en",
                "cy"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-07-02T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-06-18T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-07-14T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "This procurement process is being carried out on eTenderwales. Please note this is a separate website and if you are not already registered, registration will be required. To access eTenderwales, express your interest in this notice and access the tender documentation please visit https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml and search for PQQ/ITT code itt_117691 within the appropriate area",
                "url": "https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-2",
                "documentType": "technicalSpecifications",
                "description": "This procurement process is being carried out on eTenderwales. Please note this is a separate website and if you are not already registered, registration will be required. To access eTenderwales, express your interest in this notice and access the tender documentation please visit https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml and search for PQQ/ITT code itt_117691 within the appropriate area",
                "url": "https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml"
            },
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "029871-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029871-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-04T13:01:29+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "029908-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029908-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-04T14:26:07+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "052891-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderCancellationNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK12",
                "description": "Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052891-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-09-01T15:38:27+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "cancelled",
            "statusDetails": "Following a review of the bids received, the procurement did not attract the quantity of bids anticipated to sufficiently demonstrate value for money. The University has therefore decided to undertake a strategic reassessment of the scope of services contained within the tender documents to ensure that the quality of services required can be delivered within the budget that the University has allocated for this service.",
            "finalStatusDate": "2025-08-29T00:00:00+01:00",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ]
}