--- title: "Provision of Graduation Event Management Services for the University of Aberdeen" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-064dea" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064dea" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dea.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dea.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN" published: "2026-05-08" --- # Provision of Graduation Event Management Services for the University of Aberdeen Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-064dea [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064dea) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dea.json) ## Summary The public procurement process for the "Provision of Graduation Event Management Services for the University of Aberdeen" has been completed, with the University awarding the contract to Wavemakers Live. This project pertains to the event services industry and encompasses both summer and potential winter graduation events. Located in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, the summer graduation ceremonies are scheduled for 29th June to 3rd July 2026. The University may also host winter graduations, expected between 23rd and 27th November 2026, subject to approval. The contract, beginning on 1st June 2026, spans one year with the possibility of three one-year extensions, providing a long-term partnership opportunity dependent on mutual agreement. The procurement was conducted under an open procedure, adhering to the legal basis set by Directive 2014/24/EU. Key dates involved in the tender period include the end date of 16th March 2026, with an award made shortly afterwards. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in event management services, particularly those that are equipped to operate in high-profile academic settings. Given the scale and recurring nature of the graduation ceremonies, the contract is well-suited for businesses capable of delivering quality and innovative event solutions. With a substantial contract value of £480,000, this serves as an attractive growth opportunity for companies focusing on high-end event management, especially small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate excellence in technical skill and competitive pricing. The successful contract with Wavemakers Live underscores the potential for SMEs to excel in public procurement markets by continually proving their capabilities and expanding their service portfolio within the educational sector. ## Notice The University requires a main contractor to support the delivery of the summer graduation ceremonies, hosted in a marquee setting on King's Lawn. Working alongside the appointed marquee provider, the contractor will be expected to deliver a high-quality event experience that reflects the significance and profile of graduation within the University's academic calendar. The summer graduation ceremonies for 2026 will take place between 29th June and 3rd July 2026 (inclusive). In addition to the summer ceremonies, the University may require events services for the Winter Graduation ceremonies during the contract period. Winter graduation support at this stage is subject to university approval during the term of the contract. If approved, winter graduation ceremonies are anticipated to take place between 23rd and 27th November, with ceremonies expected to occur on 24th - 26th November. Winter graduations are smaller in scale and will be hosted inside Elphinstone Hall, Old Aberdeen Campus. The anticipated contract period is 1 year, commencing 1st June 2026. Subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement, the University reserves the option to extend the contract for up to three additional periods of 1 year each. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The University requires a main contractor to support the delivery of the summer graduation ceremonies, hosted in a marquee setting on King's Lawn. Working alongside the appointed marquee provider, the contractor will be expected to deliver a high-quality event experience that reflects the significance and profile of graduation within the University's academic calendar. The summer graduation ceremonies for 2026 will take place between 29th June and 3rd July 2026 (inclusive). In addition to the summer ceremonies, the University may require events services for the Winter Graduation ceremonies during the contract period. Winter graduation support at this stage is subject to university approval during the term of the contract. If approved, winter graduation ceremonies are anticipated to take place between 23rd and 27th November, with ceremonies expected to occur on 24th - 26th November. Winter graduations are smaller in scale and will be hosted inside Elphinstone Hall, Old Aberdeen Campus. The anticipated contract period is 1 year, commencing 1st June 2026. Subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement, the University reserves the option to extend the contract for up to three additional periods of 1 year each. Renewal: Subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement, the University reserves the option to extend the contract for up to three additional periods of 1 year each. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042313-2026 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 8 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 16 Mar 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 27 Apr 2026 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | The anticipated timing for any further notices will depend on whether the available extensions are exercised. If no extensions are applied, the next notice would be issued at the beginning of 2027. | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £480,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Cancelled | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN | | Locality | ABERDEEN | | Post town | Aberdeen | | Postcode | AB24 3FX | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM5 North Eastern Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire | | Local authority | Aberdeen City | | Electoral ward | Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen | | Westminster constituency | Aberdeen North | | Delivery location | TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | WAVEMAKERS LIVE | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79952000 - Event services ## Release History - 8 May 2026 at 09:16 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042313-2026 - 11 Feb 2026 at 14:01 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012428-2026 ## Notice URLs - http://www.abdn.ac.uk/procurement - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00102 - https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html?VISITORID=fcad6e8d-f138-4ad4-9225-7a79d842b262&_ncp=1715248066272.37289-1 ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064dea. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dea.json.