Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Swansea University
Procurement - Finance, Swansea University, Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
UK
Contact person: Owen Cullen, Deputy Head of Procurement
E-mail: procurement@swansea.ac.uk
NUTS: UKL18
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.swansea.ac.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0345
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from another address:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
UK
E-mail: procurement@swansea.ac.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Marketing and Recruitment Services in India
Reference number: SU20(19)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79342000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Swansea University is seeking a company with the ability to deliver marketing and recruitment activity in India on a full time basis. The aim of the market and recruitment activity is to support the University’s strategy in India to increase student market share and grow student enrolments, partnerships and engagement with industry.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
300 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79600000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
In order to deliver this strategy, the company must have two staff members who will be dedicated to Swansea University activity only for reasons of confidentiality and exclusivity. Preferably the staff members are not located with others which are also working for Universities. One member must have at least five years experience in a similar role within higher education in India and have the ability to help inform and develop strategy, manage and build relationships with stakeholders, line manage a junior member of staff and also carry out and deliver marketing activity. The junior member of staff must also have experience and knowledge of higher education overseas, especially the UK, and will be a confident communicator, understand marketing and recruitment, attend exhibitions and also have a sales driven approach to help improve conversion of students to enrolments. The salaries for the staff is at the discretion of the University and is therefore a variable cost. The amount set (GBP 20,000 & GBP 16,000 respectively), is slightly above standard for the industry, so that it attracts the best possible candidates. Better quality of staff also ensures the other risks associated with outsourcing activity are minimised. For example, visa rejection rates, brand reputation, staff commitment and staff dedication and motivation.
The supplier must limit their fees to only include set up and for costs relating to the management of the two staff. All other costs must only be payable on variable costs and actuals, which will be agreed in advance. The company must provide receipts and monthly reports on the return on investment of the staff activity as well as the marketing activity: Complete transparency on the actuals is pertinent.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
300 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The University estimates a total contract value of approximately GBP 300,000 over the maximum four year period. The University will reserve the right to increase this amount by an additional 50pc upon agreement by both parties.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
01/10/2018
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
CY
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
01/10/2018
Local time: 12:00
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure:
eTender portal - Bravosolution etenderwales
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
The company must:
- Be a legitimate, permanent establishment in India in order to provide full time representation in country via a direct outsourcing platform, but with a base in the UK for ease of partnership. Therefore, a complete understanding of the legal operating environment in India, in relation to permanent establishment in country is essential. Furthermore, they must demonstrate what support services are in place to ensure the risk of breaching regulations is non-existent for the University.
- Have extensive, specialist and proven knowledge beyond higher education in India with the capacity to advise the University on legal issues for future endeavours relating to their internationalisation strategy.
- Have proven experience of providing services for Higher Education in the UK via an outsourcing model with dedicated staff which have proven to deliver a University strategy.
- Have the ability to provide a full service of recruiting and providing staff members from India, but with a reasonable level of input allowed by the University so that the values of the University can be matched within the individual. They must source staff within India with relevant experience in higher education marketing to deliver the marketing recruitment activity on behalf of the University. The job description and objectives must be agreed in advance
- Have the facility to allow the dedicated staff to be based in several strategic locations across India throughout the year, for extended periods, which will allow the University to gain maximum exposure.
- Have the ability to provide back office support occasionally to support the delivery of the University’s strategy, if the work load demands that to be the case.
- Take responsibility of managing the staff on a day-to-day basis, but allowing close monitoring by the University to ensure the marketing and recruitment strategy is delivered in accordance to the University’s expectations and pre-agreed objectives set out in advance.
- Have the ability, knowledge and expertise to advise and guide the University on the development of its strategy beyond student recruitment and into internationalisation, through proven connections with industry, government and other relevant stakeholders.
- Have a competitive pricing structure and the ability to provide transparent reporting and return on investment, year on year. Reporting on a monthly basis by providing receipts for expenditure on actuals which have been agreed in advance is essential.
- Have the ability to provide intelligence on government policy in UK and India on issues affecting higher education through their own government connections and lobbying capabilities. They must have proven experience of advising Governments and stakeholders on a national and international capacity.
- Have the ability to undertake bespoke research on areas relating to Higher Education issues as bespoke service at an agreed cost where desirable
- Have the capability of sourcing local partners where extended professional services are required and which are beyond the professional capability of the company, such as digital strategy; PR, and education legislation.
- It would be desirable for the company to provide services beyond outsourcing of higher education marketing and recruitment, such as activities that would allow the University’s research and innovation activity to gain extended exposure through industry connections in India.
NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=85009
(WA Ref:85009)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Swansea University
Procurement - Finance, Swansea University, Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
UK
Telephone: +44 1792295890
Internet address(es)
URL: www.swansea.ac.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
30/08/2018