Award

B2B Public Relations/CFP/PRO/2025

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

01 Dec 2025 at 16:50

Tender

19 Jun 2025 at 14:46

Summary of the contracting process

The Open University, a public authority classified as sub-central government and based in Milton Keynes, UK, has completed the procurement process for a framework agreement titled "B2B Public Relations/CFP/PRO/2025". This contract is within the services category, specifically public relations, and relates to their Business Development Unit. The procurement proceeded using a competitive flexible procedure and was marked as complete on 1st December 2025. The initial tender stage started in mid-2025, and it moved through a multi-stage process with key deadlines, including the expression of interest closing on 18th July 2025. The contract period is set to commence on 1st February 2026 and conclude by 31st July 2027, with potential extensions until 2029.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses in public relations, particularly for SMEs, as demonstrated by the awarding of the contract to 23red Limited, a medium-sized enterprise. The competitive process, highlighting quality over cost in its evaluation criteria, implies that companies with a strong track record in delivering high-quality public relations campaigns will find this tender appealing. Moreover, the framework agreement's retainer model allows for steady, ongoing work aligned with The Open University's business development objectives. Businesses aiming to grow within the public sector through long-term engagements could find substantial growth potential through similar procurement opportunities.

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Notice Title

B2B Public Relations/CFP/PRO/2025

Notice Description

The Open University is seeking to establish framework agreement with one supplier for the provision of B2B Public Relations, to the Business Development Unit.

Lot Information

Lot LOT-0001

Renewal: The framework may be extended by a maximum of two periods of twelve months

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05503a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078645-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79416000 - Public relations services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£789,189 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£789,189 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£947,027 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
10 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jul 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
finance-tenders@open.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

23RED

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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