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Learner Finds

University Centre Somerset College Group

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

27 Jul 2026 at 15:27

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

30 Jun 2026 at 21:31

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

27 Feb 2026 at 14:27

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

University Centre Somerset College Group procured learner recruitment services for people aged 19 and over to join distance-learning courses. The requirement combines recruitment, advertising, direct marketing and wider marketing activity to identify and engage prospective learners across the United Kingdom. The supplier’s role is therefore focused on finding suitable adult learners and supporting their progression into the college group’s distance-learning provision, rather than delivering the courses themselves. This is a services opportunity for businesses specialising in education-sector learner recruitment, lead generation, direct response campaigns, digital or other marketing channels, and recruitment services. The buyer is University Centre Somerset College Group, based in Somerset, while delivery covers the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete: one supplier was selected through an above-threshold open procedure and the contract was signed. FREE COURSES UK LIMITED received the award on 30 June 2026 for £400,000. The contract, signed on 27 July 2026, is valued at £700,000 excluding VAT (£840,000 including VAT). The estimated tender value was £1,733,333.33 excluding VAT (£2,080,000 including VAT). The contract runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2028, with two optional 12-month extensions allowing a maximum end date of 31 July 2030. Bids closed at 13:00 on 2 April 2026, following an enquiry deadline of 20 March 2026 at 14:00. Evaluation weighted quality at 60% and price at 40%. Five bids were received, with one reaching the final stage.

This award shows that University Centre Somerset College Group buys specialist support to recruit adult learners into distance-learning courses, using marketing and recruitment activity rather than relying solely on traditional college admissions channels. A credible future supplier would need demonstrable success in learner or customer acquisition, particularly for people aged 19 and over, together with practical capability in direct marketing, lead generation and recruitment campaigns. Evidence should show how campaigns identify suitable prospects, generate qualified enquiries and convert them into course enrolments. Strong quality submissions would need to explain the delivery approach, targeting, communications, performance management and understanding of further-education learners. The requirement was marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises, so smaller specialist providers can be relevant competitors.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Learner Finds

Notice Description

Learner Finds - Recruitment of 19+ Learners for Distanced Learning Courses

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Extensions allowed: Yes (2 x 12 months)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065e71
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070874-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

79342000 - Marketing services

79342100 - Direct marketing services

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,733,333 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,733,333 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Jun 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University Centre Somerset College Group
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOMERSET
Postcode
TA6 4PZ
Postcode Area
Taunton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK62 Somerset
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Somerset
Electoral Ward
Bridgwater North & Central
Westminster Constituency
Bridgwater

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FREE COURSES UK LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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