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Graduation venue 2028 - 2032

UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX(THE)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 Sep 2026 at 16:44

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Sussex is exploring a graduation venue service for ceremonies planned across the 2028–2032 period. The requirement concerns event services, covering the provision of a suitable venue and associated arrangements for University graduation events. Delivery is expected in the Brighton and Sussex area. The University is the buying organisation and is seeking views from suppliers to help define the service it ultimately requires. The requirement is intended for businesses that provide event venues, venue management or graduation and large-scale ceremonial event services. Suppliers may be able to contribute ideas about service design, delivery models and new ways of working, helping the University shape a practical requirement around its institutional priorities and the needs of its graduation ceremonies.

This procurement is at the planning and preliminary market engagement stage; it is not a call for competition and participation will not lead directly to a contract or award. The University expects to use an open procedure for a service contract, although the future procurement strategy may be informed by market feedback. The planned contract period is from 1 November 2027 to 31 August 2030, with renewal extending the maximum possible end date to 31 August 2033. There is one lot, covering the graduation venue requirement. Preliminary market engagement is scheduled to conclude on 12 October 2026. The procurement is above the applicable threshold and is treated under the light-touch regime. No contract value or budget is stated.

This engagement is relevant to established venue and event-service businesses preparing to compete for a future university graduation requirement. It should suit suppliers able to provide and manage venues for recurring, high-profile ceremonial events, coordinate the practical delivery of graduation occasions and support the University’s institutional priorities. Businesses with experience of large organised events, academic ceremonies, guest management, event logistics and venue operations are likely to be well placed to respond. The engagement offers a chance to explain existing capabilities, suggest alternative delivery models and identify new approaches before the service specification and procurement strategy are settled. Participation is voluntary, but market feedback will help shape the future requirement and reflect sector best practice.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Graduation venue 2028 - 2032

Notice Description

The University of Sussex ("Sussex") is inviting expressions of interest for its upcoming requirement for a Graduation Venue 2028 - 2032. The purpose of this engagement is for Sussex to gauge potential interest and obtain information from the market which will help inform and shape its service requirements. Through this process suppliers can provide feedback on certain aspects of the service. It is hoped that this exercise may bring to light opportunities and new ways of working for Sussex. Engagement via this document nor any associated Preliminary Market Engagement Notice does not constitute a call for competition. No contract or offer of award will be made following participation in this engagement and any information is given entirely in good faith and liable to change.

Planning Information

The Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) period is concludes on 12/10/2026. Further details regarding this engagement are available in the Instruction Document, which can be accessed via the e-sourcing portal, Proactis (search for the University of Sussex and US_26079): https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/account/login While participation in this engagement is not mandatory for involvement in any future procurement process, responses received will help inform the Contracting Authority about the level of market interest. Additionally, feedback from this engagement may help inform the design of the forthcoming procurement strategy, ensuring it reflects both institutional priorities and sector best practice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06fa89
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087488-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2027 - 1 Sep 2030 2-3 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 SUSSEX(THE)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
FALMER, BRIGHTON
Postcode
BN1 9RH
Postcode Area
Brighton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ21 Brighton and Hove
Delivery Location
TLJ21 Brighton and Hove
Local Authority
Brighton and Hove
Electoral Ward
Coldean & Stanmer
Westminster Constituency
Brighton Pavilion

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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