This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 May 2026 at 18:51

Award

09 Dec 2025 at 16:33

Award

09 Dec 2025 at 16:28

Summary of the contracting process

Coventry University has completed the procurement process through a direct award for the provision of security services at its London campus, specifically covering University House and adjacent locations within the Devonshire Square estate. The contract was awarded to SMART SEC SOLUTIONS LTD, reflecting the university’s need for integration with the estate-wide security operations. This procurement falls under the services category and involves the comprehensive management of security infrastructure, such as centralised CCTV monitoring and control room operations. The contract, which is being managed under the oversight of Coventry University, officially commenced on 1st February 2026 and is expected to run until 31st January 2030. The procurement method employed was a direct award, justified by the technical necessity for seamless coordination with existing systems, and thus did not involve an open competition process.

This contract represents a significant opportunity for SMART SEC SOLUTIONS LTD, having been awarded largely due to its unique capacity to deliver seamless and uninterrupted security services in alignment with existing estate infrastructure. The procurement process underscores the importance of possessing specific technical capabilities and integration skills, positioning large security firms, especially those with previous estate-wide operational experience, as ideal candidates for similar tenders. Businesses in the security services sector can explore opportunities to establish themselves with a strong local presence and develop operational readiness to compete effectively in such high-stake, technical-service tenders.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of Security Services to CUL

Notice Description

Coventry University London has entered into a contract for the provision of security services at University House and adjacent locations within the Devonshire Square estate. The services will be delivered by SmartSec, who have been appointed as the sole provider of estate-wide security services following a competitive procurement exercise carried out by the estate's management company. SmartSec will assume full responsibility for operating the estate's integrated security infrastructure, including centralised CCTV monitoring, control room operations, access control systems, and coordinated physical patrols. In light of this arrangement, Coventry University London requires its own security provision to be fully aligned with the wider estate operations, in order to ensure seamless and uninterrupted service delivery. SmartSec is the only supplier with the necessary access rights, infrastructure integration, and estate-wide operational control to deliver these services without duplication of resources or fragmentation of responsibilities. Any alternative arrangement would require the creation of parallel systems and facilities, leading to inefficiency, increased cost, and unnecessary complexity, while also introducing risk to both operational performance and emergency response times. The decision to award the contract directly is based on the need to ensure interoperability with existing estate-wide systems and to maintain continuity of service within a complex and tightly integrated security environment. SmartSec's presence on site, their operational readiness, and their authorised access to all relevant estate systems and premises make them uniquely positioned to deliver these services in a way that ensures consistency, safety, and effective coordination. This direct award represents a proportionate and justified procurement route that supports operational requirements and ensures the university's security provision is fully integrated with the wider estate's arrangements. Please note that the contract value stated is an estimate and not a confirmed final value. The actual value will depend on the scope of services delivered over the contract period.

Procurement Information

Without competition (Direct award)

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f220
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042769-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79710000 - Security services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,279,357 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,200,451 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Dec 20256 months ago
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV1 5FB
Post Town
Coventry
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG33 Coventry
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
St Michael's
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SMART SEC SOLUTIONS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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