Planning

T1121 - Card Acquiring Services 2025

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

11 Aug 2025 at 14:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by the University of Essex, located at Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, revolves around the "T1121 - Card Acquiring Services 2025" tender. This planning stage focuses on securing Merchant Services for processing, authorisation, and settlement of debit and credit transactions via multiple payment channels, including in-person (Chip and PIN/contactless), mail/telephone orders, and online e-commerce. The procurement falls under the services category, particularly "Financial transaction processing and clearing-house services," and will leverage a competitive and flexible procedure to engage potential suppliers. The key milestone for pre-market engagement is scheduled by 29th August 2025, with a future tender notice expected by 1st September 2025. The contract is valued at GBP 3,500,000, with a planned contract period starting in August 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in financial transaction processing and related services, especially those capable of adapting to technological advancements and market shifts. Companies providing comprehensive merchant service solutions, including robust corporate support and specialised relationship management, will find this tender aligns with their capabilities. The University of Essex is looking for a reliable partner capable of not only fulfilling current requirements but also addressing future needs, ensuring sustained growth and user satisfaction. Businesses prioritising innovation and adding value to educational sectors will likely find this contract conducive to expanding their service portfolio. The tender explicitly accommodates the participation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), creating an inclusive growth opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

T1121 - Card Acquiring Services 2025

Notice Description

This pre market engagement is to scope potential suppliers interest for the provision of Merchant Services for processing, authorisation and settlement of the University's debit and credit transactions via all payment channels including customer present (Chip and PIN/contactless payments (including mobile wallets such as apple pay, google pay), customer not present (Mail Order / Telephone Order) and online (e-commerce). The University is seeking to develop efficient and cost-effective merchant service arrangements which will be capable of meeting future market and technological changes, and which will meet, and often exceed, user expectations. It is looking for a relationship with an organisation which it can be confident will fulfil all the University's current and future requirements. It is important that any potential acquiring partner can add value through an effective dedicated corporate support team backed up by a proactive education sector specialist Relationship Manager. The following legal entities are involved in this tender: University of Essex University of Essex Campus Services Limited This tender is for all merchant services activity for the University and its subsidiaries across all acceptance methods.

Planning Information

This pre market engagement is to scope interest from suppliers for the provision of Merchant Services for processing, authorisation and settlement of the University’s debit and credit transactions via all payment channels including customer present (Chip and PIN/contactless payments (including mobile wallets such as apple pay, google pay), customer not present (Mail Order / Telephone Order) and online (e-commerce). Please register your interest and provide some brief information in the first instance. Please also feel free to ask questions/provide feedback on the draft specification. The plan is to run a competitive flexible procedure procurement process for this requirement, with the next stage including a tender notice and a PSQ stage. Further information will be provided as the procurement process progresses.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058550
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047706-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66172000 - Financial transaction processing and clearing-house services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Aug 2026 - 9 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procure@essex.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
COLCHESTER
Postcode
CO4 3SQ
Post Town
Colchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Colchester
Electoral Ward
Wivenhoe
Westminster Constituency
Harwich and North Essex

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. 

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