Planning

AI-enabled Admissions Platform - University of Sunderland 0326

UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

01 May 2026 at 14:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

01 May 2026 at 09:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Sunderland is currently in the planning stage for a new procurement process aimed at developing an AI-enabled Admissions platform. This project falls under the category of software packages and information systems, with an emphasis on transforming applicant processing and communication workflows. The total estimated contract value is £1,200,000, and the procurement is above the threshold, necessitating a transparent and competitive process. Relevant activities are scheduled to occur in Sunderland, specifically within the UKC23 region, with key preliminary market engagement milestones concluding on 8 May 2026. Online demonstrations with interested suppliers are to be conducted via Teams Meetings on select dates in May 2026, and the final contract period is expected to run from 20 September 2026 to 19 September 2031.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses operating in the realms of AI technology and software development geared towards educational institutions. By engaging in this project, companies have the chance to showcase innovative solutions that support efficient and automated admissions processes. Ideal participants are those with capabilities in creating guided application journeys, automated offer making, and AI-supported workflows that are seamlessly integrated with existing university systems. Engaging in this opportunity provides a platform for demonstrating how their products can enhance the administrative efficiency and applicant experience at the University of Sunderland, thereby offering a pathway to expand market presence in the academic sector. Businesses keen on leveraging AI and improving university admissions management are well-suited for this opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

AI-enabled Admissions Platform - University of Sunderland 0326

Notice Description

The University of Sunderland (UoS) is exploring an AI-enabled Admissions platform capable of transforming the end-to-end applicant journey and addressing the limitations of our current systems, which rely heavily on manual processing and fragmented workflows and can no longer meet applicant expectations, competitive pressures, or peak period demand. UoS is broadly defining the areas as "Admissions" support in processing applications and handling offers and acceptances, and "Conversion" support, providing communications to offer-holding students to nurture them towards successful enrolment. The aim of this exercise is to understand the market's ability to support the UoS Admissions team and International Office for the 2026/27 intakes.

Planning Information

The purpose of this PME is to gather industry expertise and feedback that will inform the development of our final project and procurement requirements. Objectives: •Gain a better understanding of suppliers' capabilities, experiences, and innovations. •Identify potential challenges and solutions relevant to the upcoming procurement project. •Inform suppliers about the project's scope, objectives, and key requirements. It should be understood that by participating in this market engagement, suppliers are not guaranteed to be shortlisted as part of a competitive procurement process. Should a tender be advertised, it will be compliant with the Procurement Act 2023, and all bidders will be treated equally. The UoS is particularly interested in understanding at a high-level how such a solution could support: •Guided, mobile-first application journeys •Intelligent triage and pre-screening •Automated offer making for standard courses •AI-supported application form and document checking •Integrated admissions and UKVI workflows •Modern applicant portals •Real-time dashboards for operational insight •Seamless integration with core systems such as SITS and CAS Shield The UoS aims to identify a scalable, compliant platform that reduces the administrative burden, improves the speed and consistency of decision-making, enhances the applicant experience and conversion, and provides a robust foundation for on-campus and future distance and flexible-delivery recruitment. We are seeking to engage with suppliers very keen to arrange a demo with you to start gaining an understanding of available products on the market. Invitation to Conduct a System Demonstration Demonstration Details: Please note that whilst we aim to engage with a broad range of suppliers, it may not be possible to invite all interested parties to a meeting. Participation in this exercise is voluntary, and there is no obligation for UoS to meet with every supplier who expresses an interest. Purpose: This session aims to provide an opportunity for you to showcase your solution. Please be advised that this is not a sales pitch, and participation does not guarantee any future work or contracts with our organisation. Compliance Note: This demonstration request aligns with the Procurement Act 2023, which encourages preliminary market engagement to better understand available solutions and inform procurement strategies. As per the guidance, such engagements are designed to be transparent and non-committal, ensuring a fair and open procurement process for all potential suppliers. This PME is not a request for quotation. UoS’s current intention is to conduct an openly advertised tender process at a later stage There is no obligation for suppliers to respond to this PME. Supplier responses (or lack thereof) to this exercise will not be used to determine which suppliers will be carried forward to the tender process or in any subsequent evaluation of supplier proposals. Action Required: If you wish to be considered for a demonstration session with the project team, please contact procurement@sunderland.ac.uk to register your interest with the subject heading “AI-Enabled Admissions platform 0326”. Kindly respond with the following information by the end of Friday, 8 May 2026 Demonstrations will be online via Teams Meeting. Specify your availability on the following dates: 15 May, 21 May, and 22 May. Main Contact Details: Include the name, email address, and phone number of the primary contact person for the demonstration. The UoS expects suppliers to provide a brief overview of their system that addresses the bullet points listed above. We kindly request that your response be concise, no more than one A4 page. This helps maintain a focused and efficient review process. We look forward to your response and the opportunity to learn more about your system capabilities. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069003
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040663-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 May 20265 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 Sep 2026 - 19 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
SUNDERLAND
Postcode
SR1 3SD
Post Town
Sunderland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC23 Sunderland
Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Millfield
Westminster Constituency
Sunderland Central

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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