This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

14 Jul 2026 at 08:34

Summary of the contracting process

The City of Liverpool College is inviting proposals for a Communications PR service under the open procurement method, aimed at strategic engagement within the further education (FE) sector. This tender, titled "Stakeholder, Political Engagement and Reputation Communications PR", seeks to address stakeholder and political engagement, alongside thought leadership and reputation management. The procurement stage is currently active, with key deadlines including an end date for tender submissions on 3rd August 2026. The college, a public authority sub-central government entity located in Liverpool, seeks to partner with an agency familiar with the political and regulatory landscape of the FE and skills sector in the United Kingdom, amid evolving policies and funding dynamics.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in marketing services with expertise in the education sector, public relations, and strategic communication, particularly those with pre-existing relationships within Whitehall and the media. Suitable for SMEs, the contract offers potential for long-term collaboration, including up to two one-year extensions, with a projected contract start from 1st September 2026. The procurement emphasises quality in delivery, with criteria balancing price, sustainability, corporate responsibility, and added value. With a gross contract value of £129,600, this opportunity allows businesses to enhance their portfolio and influence within the FE sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Stakeholder, Political Engagement and Reputation Communications PR

Notice Description

The City of Liverpool College is an anchor institution operating in the further education (FE) and skills sector. We are seeking a communications agency partner to provide strategic counsel and delivery across stakeholder engagement, political engagement, thought leadership, and reputation and reactive communications, against a backdrop of significant policy change, funding pressure, and increased public and media scrutiny of the FE and skills sector. The FE sector currently sits at the centre of government priorities around skills, growth, apprenticeships, T Levels, devolution of skills funding. This creates both opportunity - for us to position ourselves as a credible, authoritative voice - and risk, given the volume of funding, Ofsted, governance, and industrial relations stories that regularly affect the sector. The City of Liverpool College is seeking a partner agency that understands the political and regulatory landscape of FE, has existing relationships across Whitehall, Parliament, and the trade and national press, and can move at pace when issues arise. A UK3 notice was not required for this tender process.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Inclusive of 2 x 1 year optional extensions included

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ca59
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065930-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79342000 - Marketing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£108,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£108,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jul 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
3 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL COLLEGE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
THE LEARNING EXCHANGE, LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L1 9DW
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD72 Liverpool

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Canning
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

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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