This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

15 Sep 2021 at 01:00

Tender

26 Feb 2021 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The University of St Andrews is conducting an open tender titled "Finance - Student Payment Services," aimed at improving payment systems for tuition and accommodation fees. Located in Guardbridge, UK, the procurement process is currently active with a successful award announced on 1st July 2021 for a contract valued at £1,454,000. The tender period concluded on 31st March 2021, following which a minimum standstill period of 10 calendar days was initiated for debriefing unsuccessful tenderers. The contracting authority focuses on enhancing efficiency and customer experience through an expanded range of international payment options.

This tender presents significant business opportunities, particularly for firms specialising in financial technology and payment processing solutions, as the University seeks to diversify and enhance its payment methods, including compatibility with various global systems. Companies with expertise in providing international payment services, local support capabilities, and a strong track record in educational environments are well-suited to compete for this contract. Additionally, organisations that can offer innovative solutions for flexible payment options, data integration with student records systems, and customer-oriented service models are likely to excel in this competitive procurement process.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

University of St Andrews: Finance - Student Payment Services

Notice Description

The University currently collects Visa and Mastercard accommodation and tuition fees via the WPM Education platform; this activity is specifically excluded from this tender process. However, there is a large value of payments by bank transfer that are received directly into the University bank account, which then requires manual posting and reconciling to the student account. The University also currently partners with a specialist provider for the collection of payments. The tender therefore consists of this and the above bank transfer activity, with a view to expanding the range of alternative payment methods, including such as China Union Pay, WeChat, Alipay, as well as standard international bank transfers. Note that accepting payments by card is not a requirement of this tender process but may be considered in the future. Current values and volumes can be found in Appendix 1 below. The main drivers behind this tender have been identified as process efficiency, performance improvement, improved utilisation of staff resources, improved staff satisfaction and improved student (customer) experience. The project team have identified their priorities as - Offers a range of international payment methods including bank transfer. Allow flexible payment options (value and frequency (instalments)). Is a GLOBAL system which is compatible with CHINA. - Direct interface into the student records system, SITS, and a full end to end payment process. The system should facilitate payments for tuition, accommodation and other. - Easy for ALL students to use. Web based system. Clear and transparent FX rates and charges. - Has an easy refund process (internally and externally), good reporting functionality and is a stable platform which is secure, scalable and can cope with demand. - System can be maintained locally with good customer support and a dedicated relationship manager. - Offers the best Value for Money (price) for St Andrews and its students. The new system must be able to collect payments for the following: - Tuition deposits, part payments (instalments) and full payments - Accommodation part payments (instalments) and full payments - Other fees - e.g., Summer courses for 16/17-year-olds

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University currently collects Visa and Mastercard accommodation and tuition fees via the WPM Education platform; this activity is specifically excluded from this tender process. However, there is a large value of payments by bank transfer that are received directly into the University bank account, which then requires manual posting and reconciling to the student account. The University also currently partners with a specialist provider for the collection of payments. The tender therefore consists of this and the above bank transfer activity, with a view to expanding the range of alternative payment methods, including such as China Union Pay, WeChat, Alipay, as well as standard international bank transfers. Note that accepting payments by card is not a requirement of this tender process but may be considered in the future. Current values and volumes can be found in Appendix 1 below. The main drivers behind this tender have been identified as process efficiency, performance improvement, improved utilisation of staff resources, improved staff satisfaction and improved student (customer) experience. The project team have identified their priorities as - Offers a range of international payment methods including bank transfer. Allow flexible payment options (value and frequency (instalments)). Is a GLOBAL system which is compatible with CHINA. - Direct interface into the student records system, SITS, and a full end to end payment process. The system should facilitate payments for tuition, accommodation and other. - Easy for ALL students to use. Web based system. Clear and transparent FX rates and charges. - Has an easy refund process (internally and externally), good reporting functionality and is a stable platform which is secure, scalable and can cope with demand. - System can be maintained locally with good customer support and a dedicated relationship manager. - Offers the best Value for Money (price) for St Andrews and its students. The new system must be able to collect payments for the following: - Tuition deposits, part payments (instalments) and full payments - Accommodation part payments (instalments) and full payments - Other fees - e.g., Summer courses for 16/17-year-olds The Appointee Service providers must be authorised to provide international payment services in the United Kingdom and be subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority. Service providers must have an appropriate level of experience in providing student payment services on a scale similar to that of the University, for public bodies, and should provide such information as confidentiality will allow this to be demonstrated.. All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted.

Renewal: Provision for 2 x 12 month extensions.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000645522
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP427539
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services


CPV Codes

66115000 - International payment transfer services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,454,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
31 Mar 2021Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Jul 20215 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of St Andrews
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GUARDBRIDGE
Postcode
KY16 0US
Postcode Area
Kirkcaldy
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM01 Clackmannanshire and Fife
Delivery Location
TLM72 Clackmannanshire and Fife

Local Authority
Fife
Electoral Ward
Tay Bridgehead
Westminster Constituency
North East Fife

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Western Union Business Solutions

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB408113
    University of St Andrews: Finance - Student Payment Services - The University currently collects Visa and Mastercard accommodation and tuition fees via the WPM Education platform; this activity is specifically excluded from this tender process. However, there is a large value of payments by bank transfer that are received directly into the University bank account, which then requires manual posting and reconciling to the student account. The University also currently partners with a specialist provider for the collection of payments. The tender therefore consists of this and the above bank transfer activity, with a view to expanding the range of alternative payment methods, including such as China Union Pay, WeChat, Alipay, as well as standard international bank transfers. Note that accepting payments by card is not a requirement of this tender process but may be considered in the future. Current values and volumes can be found in Appendix 1 below. The main drivers behind this tender have been identified as process efficiency, performance improvement, improved utilisation of staff resources, improved staff satisfaction and improved student (customer) experience. The project team have identified their priorities as - Offers a range of international payment methods including bank transfer. Allow flexible payment options (value and frequency (instalments)). Is a GLOBAL system which is compatible with CHINA. - Direct interface into the student records system, SITS, and a full end to end payment process. The system should facilitate payments for tuition, accommodation and other. - Easy for ALL students to use. Web based system. Clear and transparent FX rates and charges. - Has an easy refund process (internally and externally), good reporting functionality and is a stable platform which is secure, scalable and can cope with demand. - System can be maintained locally with good customer support and a dedicated relationship manager. - Offers the best Value for Money (price) for St Andrews and its students. The new system must be able to collect payments for the following: - Tuition deposits, part payments (instalments) and full payments - Accommodation part payments (instalments) and full payments - Other fees - e.g., Summer courses for 16/17-year-olds
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP427539
    University of St Andrews: Finance - Student Payment Services - The University currently collects Visa and Mastercard accommodation and tuition fees via the WPM Education platform; this activity is specifically excluded from this tender process. However, there is a large value of payments by bank transfer that are received directly into the University bank account, which then requires manual posting and reconciling to the student account. The University also currently partners with a specialist provider for the collection of payments. The tender therefore consists of this and the above bank transfer activity, with a view to expanding the range of alternative payment methods, including such as China Union Pay, WeChat, Alipay, as well as standard international bank transfers. Note that accepting payments by card is not a requirement of this tender process but may be considered in the future. Current values and volumes can be found in Appendix 1 below. The main drivers behind this tender have been identified as process efficiency, performance improvement, improved utilisation of staff resources, improved staff satisfaction and improved student (customer) experience. The project team have identified their priorities as - Offers a range of international payment methods including bank transfer. Allow flexible payment options (value and frequency (instalments)). Is a GLOBAL system which is compatible with CHINA. - Direct interface into the student records system, SITS, and a full end to end payment process. The system should facilitate payments for tuition, accommodation and other. - Easy for ALL students to use. Web based system. Clear and transparent FX rates and charges. - Has an easy refund process (internally and externally), good reporting functionality and is a stable platform which is secure, scalable and can cope with demand. - System can be maintained locally with good customer support and a dedicated relationship manager. - Offers the best Value for Money (price) for St Andrews and its students. The new system must be able to collect payments for the following: - Tuition deposits, part payments (instalments) and full payments - Accommodation part payments (instalments) and full payments - Other fees - e.g., Summer courses for 16/17-year-olds

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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