Award

OU Graduation Ceremony

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

16 Jan 2026 at 18:02

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "OU Graduation Ceremony" has been completed by The Open University, a public authority under sub-central government in the United Kingdom. The tender involved securing venue hire services for graduation ceremonies to be held in London, specifically at the Barbican Centre, in spring 2026. This procurement was managed using a direct procurement method, classified as below-threshold without competition. The contract associated with this award was signed on 18th December 2025, and the event is scheduled for 28th March 2026. The procurement stage is at the award phase, and the main procurement category is services.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the event services sector. Although this particular procurement was closed without competition, similar future procurements by educational institutions like The Open University can be lucrative, especially for companies experienced in managing large-scale events and venues. Businesses with a strong logistical framework capable of serving high-profile clients would be well-suited to win such contracts, enhancing their portfolio and potential for further growth in the event management and venue hire industry. The Barbican Centre, as the contracted supplier, illustrates the type of established venue provider that aligns with the requirements of this tender.

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Notice Title

OU Graduation Ceremony

Notice Description

Venue Hire for London based ceremonies in spring 2026 (Barbican Centre)

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06081d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004103-2026
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
Below threshold - without competition
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

79952000 - Event services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£59,923 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
28 Mar 2026 - 28 Mar 2026 24 hours
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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

THE BARBICAN CENTRE

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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