Award

Provision of branded merchandise for onsite shop

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

20 Oct 2025 at 10:58

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Birmingham has concluded an award process for procuring branded merchandise for its onsite shop in Birmingham. This award, finalised on 20th October 2025, involves the direct appointment of Infinity Incorporated Limited as the supplier. The procurement falls under the industry category of "Information and promotion products" and is conducted through a direct award method due to urgent operational needs. The contract period extends from 31st October 2025 to 18th August 2027, ensuring the immediate restoration and availability of University-branded merchandise following the unexpected closure of the previous operator. This decision enables seamless continued service while maintaining brand integrity and enhancing student experience.

This procurement presents opportunities for businesses to align with high-profile institutions, such as universities, providing branded goods that reinforce strong institutional identities. Businesses that specialise in quickly delivering approved merchandise in alignment with branding guidelines would be well-suited to this type of tender. It also highlights opportunities for firms that can supply high-quality promotional items swiftly and reliably, an attractive proposition for buyers needing to mitigate service disruptions urgently.

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.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of branded merchandise for onsite shop

Notice Description

Infinity was the approved supplier for branded merchandise for the University's on-campus gift shop, which was operated externally by Unique. Infinity also operated the online merchandise store, with fulfilment of online orders managed by Unique. All merchandise supplied by Infinity to Unique was approved by the University's brand team, with under signed Heads of Terms for use of branding valid until July 2027. Following Unique's unexpected liquidation last week, both the physical gift shop and the online store ceased operations immediately. This has resulted in a complete halt in the availability of official University merchandise, which is considered as negatively impacting the student experience and posing a risk to brand reputation. To mitigate this disruption, the University is implementing a contingency plan to bring all aspect of the gift shop including merchandise operations in-house. To ensure continuity and maintain brand integrity, immediate access to branded stock is required - stock that aligns with previously approved designs and possibly stock items acquired from the liquidator. Infinity is uniquely positioned to supply this merchandise without delay, given their existing approvals, familiarity with our brand standards and arrangements that were in place for the University Campus. Conducting a full competitive tender at this stage would introduce a significant delay, during which the University would remain unable to offer official merchandise. This direct award until the expiry of the Heads of Terms enables the University to restore both physical and online merchandise availability within 10-14 days, ensuring continuity of service and safeguarding the University's brand presence and integrity.

Procurement Information

Infinity was the approved supplier for branded merchandise for the University's on-campus gift shop, which was operated externally by Unique. Infinity also operated the online merchandise store, with fulfilment of online orders managed by Unique. All merchandise supplied by Infinity to Unique was approved by the University's brand team, with under signed Heads of Terms for use of branding valid until July 2027. Following Unique's unexpected liquidation last week, both the physical gift shop and the online store ceased operations immediately. This has resulted in a complete halt in the availability of official University merchandise, which is considered as negatively impacting the student experience and posing a risk to brand reputation. To mitigate this disruption, the University is implementing a contingency plan to bring all aspect of the gift shop including merchandise operations in-house. To ensure continuity and maintain brand integrity, immediate access to branded stock is required - stock that aligns with previously approved designs and possibly stock items acquired from the liquidator. Infinity is uniquely positioned to supply this merchandise without delay, given their existing approvals, familiarity with our brand standards and arrangements that were in place for the University Campus. Conducting a full competitive tender at this stage would introduce a significant delay, during which the University would remain unable to offer official merchandise. This direct award until the expiry of the Heads of Terms enables the University to restore both physical and online merchandise availability within 10-14 days, ensuring continuity of service and safeguarding the University's brand presence and integrity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066651-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

CPV Codes

39294100 - Information and promotion products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
31 Oct 2025 - 18 Aug 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@bham.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B15 2TT
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Edgbaston
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Edgbaston

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

INFINITY

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-05cf9e-2025-10-20T11:58:14+01:00",
    "date": "2025-10-20T11:58:14+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-RC000645",
            "name": "THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "RC000645"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PHCQ-3464-LVTM"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Edgbaston",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "postalCode": "B15 2TT",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@bham.ac.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.birmingham.ac.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-03582519",
            "name": "Infinity Incorporated Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "03582519"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "One Central Street",
                "locality": "Manchester",
                "postalCode": "M2 5WR",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD33"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "sales@infinityinc.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.infinityinconline.co.uk",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-RC000645",
        "name": "THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Provision of branded merchandise for onsite shop",
        "description": "Infinity was the approved supplier for branded merchandise for the University's on-campus gift shop, which was operated externally by Unique. Infinity also operated the online merchandise store, with fulfilment of online orders managed by Unique. All merchandise supplied by Infinity to Unique was approved by the University's brand team, with under signed Heads of Terms for use of branding valid until July 2027. Following Unique's unexpected liquidation last week, both the physical gift shop and the online store ceased operations immediately. This has resulted in a complete halt in the availability of official University merchandise, which is considered as negatively impacting the student experience and posing a risk to brand reputation. To mitigate this disruption, the University is implementing a contingency plan to bring all aspect of the gift shop including merchandise operations in-house. To ensure continuity and maintain brand integrity, immediate access to branded stock is required - stock that aligns with previously approved designs and possibly stock items acquired from the liquidator. Infinity is uniquely positioned to supply this merchandise without delay, given their existing approvals, familiarity with our brand standards and arrangements that were in place for the University Campus. Conducting a full competitive tender at this stage would introduce a significant delay, during which the University would remain unable to offer official merchandise. This direct award until the expiry of the Heads of Terms enables the University to restore both physical and online merchandise availability within 10-14 days, ensuring continuity of service and safeguarding the University's brand presence and integrity.",
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "Infinity was the approved supplier for branded merchandise for the University's on-campus gift shop, which was operated externally by Unique. Infinity also operated the online merchandise store, with fulfilment of online orders managed by Unique. All merchandise supplied by Infinity to Unique was approved by the University's brand team, with under signed Heads of Terms for use of branding valid until July 2027. Following Unique's unexpected liquidation last week, both the physical gift shop and the online store ceased operations immediately. This has resulted in a complete halt in the availability of official University merchandise, which is considered as negatively impacting the student experience and posing a risk to brand reputation. To mitigate this disruption, the University is implementing a contingency plan to bring all aspect of the gift shop including merchandise operations in-house. To ensure continuity and maintain brand integrity, immediate access to branded stock is required - stock that aligns with previously approved designs and possibly stock items acquired from the liquidator. Infinity is uniquely positioned to supply this merchandise without delay, given their existing approvals, familiarity with our brand standards and arrangements that were in place for the University Campus. Conducting a full competitive tender at this stage would introduce a significant delay, during which the University would remain unable to offer official merchandise. This direct award until the expiry of the Heads of Terms enables the University to restore both physical and online merchandise availability within 10-14 days, ensuring continuity of service and safeguarding the University's brand presence and integrity.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "urgency"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "pending",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 420000,
                "amount": 350000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-03582519",
                    "name": "Infinity Incorporated Limited"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "39294100",
                            "description": "Information and promotion products"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2025-10-31T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2027-08-18T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "066651-2025",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066651-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-10-20T11:58:14+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2025-10-31T23:59:59Z",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}