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Independent Evaluation of the AHRC Creative Communities Programme

Northumbria University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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13 Oct 2026 at 10:27

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumbria University at Newcastle upon Tyne commissioned an independent evaluation of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Creative Communities Programme. The work is research consultancy: the evaluator is to assess the programme over its five-year period. The award is classified as research consultancy services. The delivery location is recorded as the United Kingdom, with no more specific place identified. The buyer is Northumbria University, based in Newcastle upon Tyne. This requirement is for evaluation of a defined creative communities programme rather than general university research support, so it is most relevant to consultancies with expertise in independent programme evaluation and research.

The procurement is complete and a supplier has been selected. Harlow Consulting was awarded the contract, which is active. The contract was signed on 28 July 2026 and runs from 3 August 2026 to 2 August 2031. Its value is £34,000 excluding VAT and £41,000 including VAT. The procurement was described as below threshold; the specific procedure is recorded as unknown. It was organised as one lot, which is complete. The recorded award concerns research consultancy services. The evaluation criteria and any eligibility requirements are not stated in the available procurement information.

This award shows Northumbria University buying an independent, multi-year evaluation of the AHRC Creative Communities Programme through a below-threshold procurement. Harlow Consulting, an SME, was selected. Suppliers seeking to compete for a similar requirement from this buyer would need to demonstrate credible research consultancy capability and the ability to evaluate a programme independently over an extended period. Relevant strengths would include planning and delivering evaluation work across the programme lifecycle and producing evidence that can support assessment of its performance. The contract indicates a focused, single-lot commission rather than a broad programme of services, so a supplier’s proposition should be proportionate to a defined evaluation brief and sustained delivery.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Evaluation of the AHRC Creative Communities Programme

Notice Description

To carry out an independent Evaluation of the AHRC Creative Communities Programme over a 5-year period

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078640
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096399-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - unknown
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73210000 - Research consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£34,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2031 Over 5 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
Northumbria 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
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE1 8ST
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Monument
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Harlow Consulting

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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