Award

ACE 1003 ITT - Touring Research 2025/26

ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

13 Nov 2025 at 19:05

Award

17 Jul 2025 at 15:05

Tender

23 May 2025 at 15:43

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "ACE 1003 ITT - Touring Research 2025/26" by Arts Council England focuses on gaining insights into the theatre, dance, music, and combined arts touring sectors post-Covid-19. It targets indoor venues with a capacity of 150 or fewer, alongside rural, outdoor, and site-specific contexts. The procurement process, managed under an open competition below the threshold, includes research services as its main category. The contract was awarded to World Pencil Ltd, an SME, with the contract active from 15th September 2025 to 30th April 2026. Following the award stage completion on 13th November 2025, Arts Council England, located in Manchester, serves as the central government buying authority.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in research services within the arts sector. Enterprises with a focus on theatre, dance, or music touring research would find this contract aligns seamlessly with their capabilities. The open competition format used is ideal for SMEs and new entrants aiming to establish or enhance their profile in public sector procurement. Additionally, businesses offering innovative or cost-effective research solutions will find themselves well-positioned to meet the expectations set under the procurement method's evaluation criteria prioritising quality and price.

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Notice Title

ACE 1003 ITT - Touring Research 2025/26

Notice Description

ACE 1003 ITT - Touring Research 2025/26 ACE is seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the current landscape of the theatre, dance, music and combined arts touring sectors and ecologies, and how these have evolved since the Covid-19 pandemic. The specific focus of this study is the Touring of theatre, dance, music, and combined arts activities to indoor venues with a capacity of 150 or below, rural, outdoor work, site specific work and touring to community spaces, as well as by geography and artform, including genre. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=994292149

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05248e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073759-2025
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
£46,500 Under £100K
Contracts Value
£46,500 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
14 Sep 2025 - 30 Apr 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.services@artscouncil.org.uk
Contact Phone
01619344317

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 1FN
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WORLD PENCIL

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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