---
title: "Architectural Services - RIBA Stages 3-6"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06de7f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06de7f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06de7f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06de7f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Buckinghamshire New University"
published: "2026-08-07"
---

# Architectural Services - RIBA Stages 3-6

Buyer: Buckinghamshire New University  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06de7f

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## Summary

Buckinghamshire New University procured architectural and related services for the retrofit of the former Uxbridge Central Library. The scope covers multidisciplinary architectural design development from RIBA Stage 3 Developed Design through Stage 6, including tender documentation and subsequent design and construction stages. The work forms the next phase of the University’s refurbishment project, following earlier building appraisal, engagement, consultation and concept design services. Delivery is associated with Uxbridge, in the United Kingdom. The buyer is Buckinghamshire New University, based in High Wycombe. This is a single service requirement, classified under architectural and related services, and was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award rather than an open competition. The University selected RUFFARCHITECTS LIMITED, an SME, with an award dated 4 August 2026. The award value is £375,000 excluding VAT (£450,000 including VAT). The contract period is 20 August 2026 to 19 August 2027, with a possible six-month extension to 19 February 2028 if the project is delayed. The award followed a transparency notice and a standstill period ending on 19 August 2026. The direct-award rationale was continuity: the selected supplier had delivered the earlier project stages and held detailed project-specific knowledge, making replacement and retendering impractical and disproportionate. Evaluation was therefore not a competitive scored exercise.

This award indicates demand from Buckinghamshire New University for an architecture practice able to carry a complex refurbishment project through the later RIBA stages, rather than provide only an initial concept. A credible competitor for similar future requirements would need multidisciplinary architectural capability covering developed design, tender documentation and support through construction and completion. Experience of retrofit and refurbishment, together with the ability to understand and develop an existing project’s design information, would be important. The procurement also shows that continuity and project-specific knowledge can strongly influence the route to appointment, so firms seeking comparable work should be able to demonstrate robust handover, document control and delivery across multiple design and construction stages. SME scale was acceptable for this requirement.

## Notice

Buckinghamshire New University ("the University") intends to directly award a contract for the provision of architectural services to undertake RIBA Stages 3-6 design development for retrofit of the former Uxbridge Central Library. The appointment follows the Supplier's previous delivery of RIBA Stage 1 Building Appraisal & Stage 2 Engagement, Consultation and Concept Design services. The University requires the further input of a multi disciplinary architecture firm for RIBA Stage 3 Developed Design and Tender Documentation and subsequent stages 4-6.

### Procurement Information

The University considers that direct award of the RIBA Stages 3-6 architectural services is justified due to the supplier's existing involvement in the project and the need to ensure continuity of service. The supplier has undertaken the initial building assessment and RIBA Stage 2 design development and has acquired detailed project-specific knowledge. Additional support is required whilst in the process of refurbishment therefore the University considers that appointing an alternative architectural firm at this stage would require significant familiarisation with the project and review of work already completed. Retendering is impractical and would be disproportionate.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075023-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 4 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 20 Aug 2026 - 19 Aug 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £375,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Buckinghamshire New University |
| Locality | HIGH WYCOMBE |
| Postcode area | Hemel Hempstead |
| Postcode | HP11 2JZ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ13 Buckinghamshire |
| Local authority | Buckinghamshire |
| Electoral ward | Abbey |
| Westminster constituency | Wycombe |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | RUFFARCHITECTS LIMITED |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71200000 - Architectural and related services

## Release History

- 7 Aug 2026 at 00:03 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075023-2026
- 6 Aug 2026 at 23:53 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075022-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075023-2026
  7th August 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075022-2026
  6th August 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ruffarchitects.co.uk
- https://www.bucks.ac.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-06de7f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06de7f.json.