Award

Provision of External Assurance Services

UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, led by the University of Strathclyde, focuses on the "Provision of External Assurance Services" in the education sector. This project supports the implementation of a new HR and Payroll system at the University, located in Glasgow, UKM82. The process was conducted using an open procedure under the main procurement category of services. The latest stage of the process is the award stage, with the contract having been signed on 22nd August 2025. The procurement involved an open competition with details of the project originally announced in the prior tender stage. The awarded contract is valued at £130,508.50 and falls under the CPV classification 72224200.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in digital transformation and HR system implementations, particularly those experienced in the iTrent HR system or similar projects in the higher education space. The supplier is expected to offer impartial project oversight, identify delivery risks, and provide expert assessments to enhance programme governance. The call-off was made from the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework, specifically the Management Consultancy Framework Three (MCF3) – Lot 3: Complex & Transformation, allowing for potential expansions into broader digital transformation initiatives. Large businesses with a proven track record in similar assurance roles, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers who have been awarded this contract, are well-suited to compete in this context.

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Notice Title

Provision of External Assurance Services

Notice Description

The University of Strathclyde (UoS) is currently implementing a new (HR & Payroll) HRP System. To support successful implementation, the University seeks the services of a supplier to assess the feasibility, completeness, and realism of the HRP implementation plan, to determine whether the project, as currently scoped and scheduled, shall be delivered successfully (on time, within budget, and to required quality standards) and to provide on-going assurance services throughout the remainder of the project.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The successful supplier shall have experience in conducting similar implementations or assurance reviews, ideally in the higher education sector or involving iTrent or similar HR systems. Whilst the focus of this mini competition is in relation to the HRP System, the University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend the scope of the services across other Digital Transformation or strategic change initiatives. The awarded supplier is required to provide impartial oversight, support the early identification of delivery risks, and offer evidence-based recommendations that contribute to the successful achievement of programme objectives. The assurance provider will operate in an advisory capacity, offering constructive challenge and validation to support informed decision-making. The principal objectives of the assurance services are to: - Identify potential risks to delivery at the current stage of the process and throughout the lifecycle of the programme - Provide expert, independent assessments of programme governance, delivery frameworks, and organisational readiness - Support effective decision-making at key project milestones - Offer clear, actionable recommendations grounded in analysis and best practice - Improve transparency, oversight, and stakeholder confidence in programme delivery This requirement will be fulfilled by Call off from Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework for Management Consultancy Framework Three (MCF3) - Lot 3: Complex & Transformation. This requirement will be fulfilled by Call off from Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework for Management Consultancy Framework Three (MCF3) - Lot 3: Complex & Transformation

Options: Whilst the focus of this mini competition is in relation to the HRP System, the University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend the scope of the services across other Digital Transformation or strategic change initiatives.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000811697
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT540419
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website 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

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

72224200 - System quality assurance planning services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£130,508 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Aug 20256 months 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 STRATHCLYDE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
laura.shaw@strath.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 7811592949

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G1 1XU
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT540419
    Provision of External Assurance Services - The University of Strathclyde (UoS) is currently implementing a new (HR & Payroll) HRP System. To support successful implementation, the University seeks the services of a supplier to assess the feasibility, completeness, and realism of the HRP implementation plan, to determine whether the project, as currently scoped and scheduled, shall be delivered successfully (on time, within budget, and to required quality standards) and to provide on-going assurance services throughout the remainder of the project.

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