Notice Information
Notice Title
Sustainable Merchandise
Notice Description
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition for the supply of clothing items for our retail units across the University Estate.
Lot Information
Lot 1
The University of Edinburgh is committed to advancing its sustainability agenda by sourcing bespoke, fully circular clothing lines for sale across both its physical and online retail channels. These new product ranges will replace existing items that fall short of the University's circular economy standards, ensuring that every garment is designed, produced, and reintroduced into the supply cycle responsibly. Teemill has been identified as the sole supplier for this requirement, offering a unique, end-to-end sustainable clothing solution that aligns with the University's environmental and ethical objectives. Teemill's circular production model enables every garment to be returned at the end of its life, broken down into raw materials, and remade into new products, which is a key distinction from comparable suppliers. Teemill also allow the University to buy in bulk and order when required through fulfilment-on-demand. By sourcing these garments in bulk, the University not only meets key sustainability, waste reduction, and circular economy objectives but also benefits from direct supply efficiencies that drive meaningful cost savings. In addition, Teemill's Print-on-Demand service for the University gift shop allows a wider range of clothing lines to be offered without upfront inventory commitments. This model both broadens our sustainable product portfolio and enhances overall cost efficiency. By appointing Teemill the University will achieve the following: - Full circularity is embedded across all retail clothing lines, creating a closed-loop system that turns end-of-life garments into new products. - Operational efficiencies and cost-savings through bulk buying and fulfilment-on-demand - Enhanced flexibility and innovation via Teemill's Print-on-Demand service, which expands the product range without requiring upfront inventory investment. This contract will ensure that the University of Edinburgh not only meets but exceeds its sustainability and circular economy goals--delivering high-quality, ethically produced garments while reinforcing its leadership in environmental responsibility within the higher education sector.
Procurement Information
Teemill will be awarded the 'Sustainable Merchandise' contract without prior publication of a call for competition, as they are uniquely positioned as the only supplier capable of meeting our sustainability requirements and delivering a fully circular economy model for materials. They are a distinctive provider within the clothing sector, offering a range of benefits to the University that are not available from existing suppliers or alternative sources. Their unique provision is delivered through the following key elements: - Print-on-Demand (POD) Production: Teemill's POD model ensures that garments are only manufactured once an order has been placed. This approach completely removes the need for overproduction and the associated costs and environmental impacts of holding excess stock. - Full Circularity via the Remill Process: Teemill has pioneered the Remill process, which creates new fabric from a blend of post-consumer textile waste and organic cotton. Every garment is designed with circularity in mind and can be returned at the end of its life to be remade into new clothing. Each item includes a QR code that encourages customers to participate in this return-and-reward system, through which they receive store credit for returning used garments. This innovative model supports a truly circular economy within the clothing supply chain. - Sustainable Materials and Production Practices: Teemill exclusively uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and deliberately avoids synthetic fibres and plastic blends to maintain material purity and recyclability. All production facilities are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and incorporate water recovery and recycling systems to minimise environmental impact and ensure clean dyeing and finishing processes. Teemill also offer a bespoke manufacturing and warehousing process. This allows for core lines to be produced in larger quantities and warehoused by Teemill for call off from their UK warehouse. This ensures we will have a constant supply of core lines that have the same ethical and sustainable credentials of the POD range ensuring the core offering of clothing lines meets these extremely high standards.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-r6ebe6-0000816619
- Publication Source
- Public Contracts Scotland
- Latest Notice
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV544165
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Goods
- Procurement Method
- Limited
- Procurement Method Details
- Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- SME
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories
-
- CPV Codes
18000000 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories
18400000 - Special clothing and accessories
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- £200,000 £100K-£500K
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 24 Nov 20253 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 17 Nov 20253 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
- Ross Sharp
- Contact Email
- rsharp4@ed.ac.uk
- Contact Phone
- +44 1316502759
Buyer Location
- Locality
- EDINBURGH
- Postcode
- EH1 1HT
- Post Town
- 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
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV544165
Sustainable Merchandise - Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition for the supply of clothing items for our retail units across the University Estate.
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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.
{
"tag": [
"compiled"
],
"id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000816619-2025-11-24T00:00:00Z",
"date": "2025-11-24T00:00:00Z",
"ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000816619",
"initiationType": "tender",
"parties": [
{
"id": "org-15",
"name": "University Of Edinburgh",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "University Of Edinburgh"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street",
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"region": "UKM75",
"postalCode": "EH1 1HT"
},
"contactPoint": {
"name": "Ross Sharp",
"email": "rsharp4@ed.ac.uk",
"telephone": "+44 1316502759",
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"buyer",
"centralPurchasingBody"
],
"details": {
"classifications": [
{
"id": "Body governed by public law",
"scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
},
{
"id": "09",
"description": "Education",
"scheme": "COFOG"
}
],
"url": "http://www.ed.ac.uk"
}
},
{
"id": "org-16",
"name": "Teemill Tech LTD",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Teemill Tech LTD"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Rapanui, Hooke Hill",
"locality": "Freshwater",
"region": "UKJ3",
"postalCode": "PO40 9BG"
},
"contactPoint": {
"telephone": "+44 1983409790"
},
"roles": [
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"scale": "sme",
"url": "http://"
}
},
{
"id": "org-17",
"name": "Edinburgh Sherrif Court",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Edinburgh Sherrif Court"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "27 Chambers Street",
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"postalCode": "EH11LB"
},
"contactPoint": {
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"reviewBody",
"mediationBody",
"reviewContactPoint"
]
}
],
"buyer": {
"name": "University Of Edinburgh",
"id": "org-15"
},
"tender": {
"id": "NCA21351",
"title": "Sustainable Merchandise",
"description": "Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition for the supply of clothing items for our retail units across the University Estate.",
"status": "complete",
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"id": "18000000",
"scheme": "CPV"
},
{
"id": "18400000",
"scheme": "CPV"
}
],
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UKM75"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1"
}
],
"procurementMethod": "limited",
"procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
"procurementMethodRationale": "Teemill will be awarded the 'Sustainable Merchandise' contract without prior publication of a call for competition, as they are uniquely positioned as the only supplier capable of meeting our sustainability requirements and delivering a fully circular economy model for materials. They are a distinctive provider within the clothing sector, offering a range of benefits to the University that are not available from existing suppliers or alternative sources. Their unique provision is delivered through the following key elements: - Print-on-Demand (POD) Production: Teemill's POD model ensures that garments are only manufactured once an order has been placed. This approach completely removes the need for overproduction and the associated costs and environmental impacts of holding excess stock. - Full Circularity via the Remill Process: Teemill has pioneered the Remill process, which creates new fabric from a blend of post-consumer textile waste and organic cotton. Every garment is designed with circularity in mind and can be returned at the end of its life to be remade into new clothing. Each item includes a QR code that encourages customers to participate in this return-and-reward system, through which they receive store credit for returning used garments. This innovative model supports a truly circular economy within the clothing supply chain. - Sustainable Materials and Production Practices: Teemill exclusively uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and deliberately avoids synthetic fibres and plastic blends to maintain material purity and recyclability. All production facilities are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and incorporate water recovery and recycling systems to minimise environmental impact and ensure clean dyeing and finishing processes. Teemill also offer a bespoke manufacturing and warehousing process. This allows for core lines to be produced in larger quantities and warehoused by Teemill for call off from their UK warehouse. This ensures we will have a constant supply of core lines that have the same ethical and sustainable credentials of the POD range ensuring the core offering of clothing lines meets these extremely high standards.",
"mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
"documents": [
{
"id": "NOV544165",
"documentType": "awardNotice",
"title": "Sustainable Merchandise",
"description": "Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition for the supply of clothing items for our retail units across the University Estate.",
"url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV544165",
"format": "text/html"
}
],
"lots": [
{
"id": "1",
"description": "The University of Edinburgh is committed to advancing its sustainability agenda by sourcing bespoke, fully circular clothing lines for sale across both its physical and online retail channels. These new product ranges will replace existing items that fall short of the University's circular economy standards, ensuring that every garment is designed, produced, and reintroduced into the supply cycle responsibly. Teemill has been identified as the sole supplier for this requirement, offering a unique, end-to-end sustainable clothing solution that aligns with the University's environmental and ethical objectives. Teemill's circular production model enables every garment to be returned at the end of its life, broken down into raw materials, and remade into new products, which is a key distinction from comparable suppliers. Teemill also allow the University to buy in bulk and order when required through fulfilment-on-demand. By sourcing these garments in bulk, the University not only meets key sustainability, waste reduction, and circular economy objectives but also benefits from direct supply efficiencies that drive meaningful cost savings. In addition, Teemill's Print-on-Demand service for the University gift shop allows a wider range of clothing lines to be offered without upfront inventory commitments. This model both broadens our sustainable product portfolio and enhances overall cost efficiency. By appointing Teemill the University will achieve the following: - Full circularity is embedded across all retail clothing lines, creating a closed-loop system that turns end-of-life garments into new products. - Operational efficiencies and cost-savings through bulk buying and fulfilment-on-demand - Enhanced flexibility and innovation via Teemill's Print-on-Demand service, which expands the product range without requiring upfront inventory investment. This contract will ensure that the University of Edinburgh not only meets but exceeds its sustainability and circular economy goals--delivering high-quality, ethically produced garments while reinforcing its leadership in environmental responsibility within the higher education sector.",
"status": "complete",
"awardCriteria": {
"criteria": [
{
"type": "quality",
"name": "Quality",
"description": "0"
},
{
"type": "price",
"description": "100"
}
]
},
"hasOptions": false
}
],
"coveredBy": [
"GPA"
],
"procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
{
"id": "D_TECHNICAL",
"description": "The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons",
"scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL"
}
],
"classification": {
"id": "18000000",
"scheme": "CPV"
},
"legalBasis": {
"id": "32014L0024",
"scheme": "CELEX"
}
},
"awards": [
{
"id": "NCA21351-1",
"suppliers": [
{
"id": "org-16",
"name": "Teemill Tech LTD"
}
],
"relatedLots": [
"1"
]
}
],
"contracts": [
{
"id": "NCA21351-1",
"awardID": "NCA21351-1",
"status": "active",
"value": {
"amount": 200000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"dateSigned": "2025-11-17T00:00:00Z"
}
],
"language": "EN",
"description": "(SC Ref:816619)",
"bids": {
"statistics": [
{
"id": "26",
"measure": "bids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "27",
"measure": "smeBids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "28",
"measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
"value": 0,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "29",
"measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
"value": 0,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "30",
"measure": "electronicBids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
}
]
},
"links": [
{
"rel": "canonical",
"href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000816619"
}
],
"noticetype": "OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice"
}