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Architectural Services - RIBA Stages 3-6

Buckinghamshire New University

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 Aug 2026 at 00:03

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

06 Aug 2026 at 23:53

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Buckinghamshire New University procured architectural and related services for the retrofit of the former Uxbridge Central Library. The scope covers multidisciplinary architectural design development from RIBA Stage 3 Developed Design through Stage 6, including tender documentation and subsequent design and construction stages. The work forms the next phase of the University’s refurbishment project, following earlier building appraisal, engagement, consultation and concept design services. Delivery is associated with Uxbridge, in the United Kingdom. The buyer is Buckinghamshire New University, based in High Wycombe. This is a single service requirement, classified under architectural and related services, and was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award rather than an open competition. The University selected RUFFARCHITECTS LIMITED, an SME, with an award dated 4 August 2026. The award value is £375,000 excluding VAT (£450,000 including VAT). The contract period is 20 August 2026 to 19 August 2027, with a possible six-month extension to 19 February 2028 if the project is delayed. The award followed a transparency notice and a standstill period ending on 19 August 2026. The direct-award rationale was continuity: the selected supplier had delivered the earlier project stages and held detailed project-specific knowledge, making replacement and retendering impractical and disproportionate. Evaluation was therefore not a competitive scored exercise.

This award indicates demand from Buckinghamshire New University for an architecture practice able to carry a complex refurbishment project through the later RIBA stages, rather than provide only an initial concept. A credible competitor for similar future requirements would need multidisciplinary architectural capability covering developed design, tender documentation and support through construction and completion. Experience of retrofit and refurbishment, together with the ability to understand and develop an existing project’s design information, would be important. The procurement also shows that continuity and project-specific knowledge can strongly influence the route to appointment, so firms seeking comparable work should be able to demonstrate robust handover, document control and delivery across multiple design and construction stages. SME scale was acceptable for this requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Architectural Services - RIBA Stages 3-6

Notice Description

Buckinghamshire New University ("the University") intends to directly award a contract for the provision of architectural services to undertake RIBA Stages 3-6 design development for retrofit of the former Uxbridge Central Library. The appointment follows the Supplier's previous delivery of RIBA Stage 1 Building Appraisal & Stage 2 Engagement, Consultation and Concept Design services. The University requires the further input of a multi disciplinary architecture firm for RIBA Stage 3 Developed Design and Tender Documentation and subsequent stages 4-6.

Procurement Information

The University considers that direct award of the RIBA Stages 3-6 architectural services is justified due to the supplier's existing involvement in the project and the need to ensure continuity of service. The supplier has undertaken the initial building assessment and RIBA Stage 2 design development and has acquired detailed project-specific knowledge. Additional support is required whilst in the process of refurbishment therefore the University considers that appointing an alternative architectural firm at this stage would require significant familiarisation with the project and review of work already completed. Retendering is impractical and would be disproportionate.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06de7f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075023-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71200000 - Architectural and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£375,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
20 Aug 2026 - 19 Aug 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Buckinghamshire New 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
HIGH WYCOMBE
Postcode
HP11 2JZ
Postcode Area
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Abbey
Westminster Constituency
Wycombe

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RUFFARCHITECTS LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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