Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
University Of Edinburgh
Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HT
UK
Telephone: +44 1316502759
E-mail: mritchi7@ed.ac.uk
NUTS: UKM75
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.ed.ac.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107
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
Travel Management Services
Reference number: EC1038
II.1.2) Main CPV code
63516000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The University of Edinburgh is awarding a comprehensive Travel Management Services contract to cover all Business and Student Group Travel. Many of our students and staff travel as part of their studies, research, or to develop important connections across the UK and internationally. We are committed to supporting our community to do so as safely and efficiently as possible.
At the same time, we remain steadfast in achieving our ambitious sustainability goals, which include reducing carbon emissions related to travel. As transport costs increase worldwide, this service will support our work to safeguard our community, reduce University expenditure, and provide high-quality data for carbon and travel reporting.
The University has included buffers within the value to account solely for potential increases in travel volumes or rising costs to mitigate future contract modifications.
The anticipated contract value is not a commitment or a guaranteed level of spend. Potential fluctuations in travel demand, internal policy changes and external factors may result in lower spending.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
98 765 430.58
GBP
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Business Travel Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
63516000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM75
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The contract period is 3 years, with the option to extend for an additional 4 x 1 year.
The core requirement of this project is to develop an integrated travel management platform that handles a variety of travel-related services.
- Online and offline booking capabilities.
- Rail travel (including cross-channel rail services).
- Air travel (domestic, European, and international).
- Accommodation bookings (domestic, European, and international).
- Dedicated Account Management, Online and Offline teams who will serve as the direct contacts.
The need for a robust travel management system is driven by the complexity of travel arrangements, sustainability targets, enhanced duty of care, improved user experience and driving financial and administrative efficiencies.
The objectives and goals of the UoE Sustainable Travel Policy are threefold:
1. Delivering on ambitious sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions related to business travel and providing high-quality data for carbon and travel reporting.
2. Supporting the University's duty of care for staff and students, particularly those travelling overseas, ensuring their safety and well-being.
3. Providing value for money by improving cost efficiency and streamlining the administration of reimbursements within the University's large, complex organisational structure.
Lot Description
Lot 1 – Business Travel Services - This lot provides Members with access to a fully managed service for all UK and International travel and associated services. The Member will be able to research and book using an online tool and/or via offline booking channels using a traditional call centre/agent type operation (on the lowest cost non-Premium Line telephone number). This lot will cover UK and International Air, Rail, and Hotel services; Ferry services; Eurostar; International Vehicle Hire; Visa services; and relevant professional advice to all clients.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 80
Price
/ Weighting:
20
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Student Group Travel Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
63516000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM75
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The contract period is 3 years, with the option to extend for an additional 4 x 1 year.
The core requirement of this project is to develop an integrated travel management platform that handles a variety of travel-related services.
- Online and offline booking capabilities.
- Rail travel (including cross-channel rail services).
- Air travel (domestic, European, and international).
- Accommodation bookings (domestic, European, and international).
- Dedicated Account Management, Online and Offline teams who will serve as the direct contacts.
The need for a robust travel management system is driven by the complexity of travel arrangements, sustainability targets, enhanced duty of care, improved user experience and driving financial and administrative efficiencies.
The objectives and goals of the UoE Sustainable Travel Policy are threefold:
1. Delivering on ambitious sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions related to business travel and providing high-quality data for carbon and travel reporting.
2. Supporting the University's duty of care for staff and students, particularly those travelling overseas, ensuring their safety and well-being.
3. Providing value for money by improving cost efficiency and streamlining the administration of reimbursements within the University's large, complex organisational structure.
Lot Description
Lot 2 – Student Group Travel Services - This lot covers UK and International Air, Rail and Hotel / Hostel services; Ferry services; Eurostar; International Vehicle Hire; Group Travel services; and relevant professional advice to Members for student group travel.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 80
Price
/ Weighting:
20
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
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 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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-020954
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1
Title: Business Travel Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23/02/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 7
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 6
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 7
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Key Travel
9th Floor, St. James Buildings
Manchester
M1 6EJ
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 89 765 643.21
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2
Title: Student Group Travel Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23/02/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 8
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 7
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 8
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Key Travel
9th Floor, St. James Buildings
Manchester
M1 6EJ
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 8 999 787.37
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Initial contract length 3 years, with the option to extend for an additional 4 years ( 4 x 12 month extensions)
(SC Ref:811608)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
18/03/2026