---
title: "Provision of Graduation Event Management Services for the University of Aberdeen"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
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-r6ebe6-0000823363

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363.json)

## Summary

The procurement process for the "Provision of Graduation Event Management Services for the University of Aberdeen" has been completed with an award to Wavemakers Live. The buying organisation, University of Aberdeen, required services to manage their summer graduation ceremonies on King's Lawn, with potential for winter events at Elphinstone Hall. This falls under the Education industry category, situated in Aberdeen (UKM50). The contract is valued at £480,000, starting from 1st June 2026, with a possible extension of up to three additional one-year periods. The procurement was conducted via an open procedure, with the award being made on 28th April 2026. Notably, the tender process was conducted electronically, with the tender period ending on 16th March 2026.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for companies specialising in event management and those with experience in large academic or formal ceremonies. Businesses providing high-quality, comprehensive event solutions, including marquee and logistical support, would find this contract well-suited to their capabilities. The opportunity to renew or extend the contract further enhances its value, potentially securing business stability over several years for the successful bidder. The focus on quality over price ensures that businesses offering superior technical skills and service delivery can competitively position themselves in future tender opportunities from the University of Aberdeen.

## 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 | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555442 |
| 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 | 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 | 28 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 | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| 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 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555442
- 11 Feb 2026 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549363

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549363
  Provision of Graduation Event Management Services for the University of Aberdeen - 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.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555442
  Provision of Graduation Event Management Services for the University of Aberdeen - 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.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.abdn.ac.uk/procurement
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363
- 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-r6ebe6-0000823363. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823363.json.
