Tender

Creative Design Services

ULSTER UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Tender

01 Oct 2025 at 15:31

PlanningUpdate

01 Oct 2025 at 14:39

PlanningUpdate

01 Oct 2025 at 14:21

Planning

01 Oct 2025 at 10:22

Summary of the contracting process

Ulster University, a public authority in Coleraine, United Kingdom, has initiated an open procurement process for Creative Design Services, valued at £1,291,000 GBP. This tender aims to appoint a single supplier to support the university's branding efforts, encompassing art working, brand design, video production, and photography. The tender, scheduled under the open procedure, requires electronic submissions via eTendersNI by 29th October 2025. The contract is active, with services commencing on 21st December 2025 and lasting up to 20th December 2028, with an option for extension. The procurement aligns with the Northern Irish devolved regulations and seeks to achieve brand excellence amidst competitive educational sector dynamics.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities, particularly for agencies specialising in creative design and brand management services. Companies with expertise in business services, advertising, and marketing, who can integrate closely with Ulster University's brand ethos, are encouraged to apply. The focus on a globalised education market and the importance of a strong university brand could benefit businesses capable of delivering high-quality brand assets that attract students and funding. The contract provides a robust platform for businesses to expand their portfolio and demonstrate capability in delivering comprehensive creative solutions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Creative Design Services

Notice Description

Creative Design Services-Ulster University wishes to appoint a single supplier to help us realise our growth ambitions. An extension of our own team who will embrace and ambassador the brand as we do, to fortify brand excellence in all that we do. Brand management is one of the most complex management challenges for universities. The globalisation of the education sector and increasing competition in higher education means that brands have increasingly become a strategic asset to be carefully developed with its value protected and grown. A strong brand benefits us all. If a university thrives, the value of its brand will increase, Page 2 to 5 in turn creating a virtuous loop as academics, students and funding are drawn in. We seek a partner who understands our goals and adds value in achieving and exceeding them. There will be one Contract to provide: Art Working - Graphic layout from existing templates based on Ulster University brand guidelines. Brand Design - Concept creation of sub brand, logo or brand lock up, including research, mood boards, concepts presentation and finally delivery of brand with associated guidelines. Video - Producing story boards, on occasion scripts and managing logistics through to complete edit. Completing with captions, name plates and graphic cards. Where necessary producing and executing video content for cinema and TV including management of Clearcast, clocking and Peach upload. Photography - Capturing photographs of our buildings and facilities to artistically celebrate the investment in our students and in Northern Ireland. Creating content that is both aesthetically excellent as well as accurate. Further details are contained within the Tender Documents.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Following the initial Contract period (3 years), there are options to extend up to a further 36 months.

Planning Information

The Preliminary market engagement notice was advertised to the market place to test whether there was an appetite for separate Lots within the market place as the University was considering going out to the market place with a Lotted tender of 4 Lots, Artworking, Brand Design, Concept Creative Video Production and Architectural Photography as opposed to a single lot tender which is what is currently being contract managed with the current supplier. This information was used to verify the procurement route and provide the relevant information to assist the University in making a decision in terms of the procurement route to market, i.e. various lots or a single lot. This preliminary market engagement was advertised to the open market and all suppliers were given equal chance to participate. Deadline submissions were adhered to by all suppliers and the University treated all suppliers equally and fairly. The information requested was used to sound out the market place to see if there were activity around Lotting. The University took the decision internally to move forward with a single lot. No supplier had an unfair advantage or disadvantage over another

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a5a9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061476-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,291,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,291,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Oct 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
29 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Dec 2025 - 20 Dec 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ULSTER UNIVERSITY
Additional Buyers

THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement_enquiries@ulster.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
COLERAINE
Postcode
BT52 1SA
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN0C Causeway Coast and Glens
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Causeway Coast and Glens
Electoral Ward
University
Westminster Constituency
East Londonderry

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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