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International Student Recruitment - In Country

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

23 Mar 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

21 Nov 2025 at 00:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh is engaged in a procurement process aimed at enhancing its international student recruitment efforts by establishing an in-country presence in South Asia and South East Asia. This process, conducted through an open procedure, seeks a contractor capable of hosting staff overseas in order to facilitate effective recruitment operations in these regions. The contract is valued at 825,000 GBP, and it initially covers an 18-month period with potential extensions contingent on additional funding. The procurement falls under the services industry category and is located in Edinburgh, UK. The tender process transitioned from its initiation on 21st November 2025 to the award stage on 23rd March 2026, where Grok Global Services was awarded the contract. The contract was signed on 20th March 2026.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in international recruitment services, particularly those with expertise in deploying personnel in overseas markets. Businesses with capabilities in facilitating the establishment and operation of remote recruitment staff could leverage this contract to expand their footprint into South Asian and South East Asian markets. The procurement method encourages participation from SMEs, as evidenced by the successful bid from Grok Global Services, an SME based in Brooklyn, New York. Companies well-suited to compete for such opportunities are those proficient in operations and management of overseas recruitment, with the ability to deliver high-quality outcomes complementing the University’s strategic objectives. Business growth can be achieved through enhanced service delivery and expansion into new regions facilitated by this significant procurement initiative.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

International Student Recruitment - In Country

Notice Description

The University is seeking a Contractor(s) for the provision of In-Country Presence by establishing staff based in key recruitment regions -- South Asia and South East Asia.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University of Edinburgh wishes to conduct an open tender to appoint a third-party provider capable of hosting staff working on our behalf overseas. The University intends to enhance its international student recruitment activity by establishing an in-country presence within key recruitment markets in South Asia and South East Asia. As part of this initiative, the University will deploy individuals working on our behalf to operate within these regions and requires external support to facilitate their effective establishment and ongoing operations. This contract is being funded by the University's Strategic Fund and at present, is only available for the initial 18-month term of the contract. However, it is the intention of The International and Postgraduate Recruitment Team (IRPT) to apply for a subsequent round. If successful, it is at this point the extension period will be enacted. The budget for the initial 18-month contract term is 375,000 GBP (excluding VAT). Subject to additional funding being secured for a further two years, a further 450,000 GBP (excluding VAT) may be made available, provided the University secures such funding and enacts the extension period. This additional funding is not guaranteed at this stage. If all extensions are enacted, the total contract value would be 825,000 GBP.

Renewal: A further 1 x 2-year is extension is available at end of initial term.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000816372
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552217
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, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£825,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£825 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Mar 20265 months ago
Submission Deadline
22 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Mar 20265 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University Of Edinburgh
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Grok Global Services

University Of Edinburgh

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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