Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
University Of Edinburgh
Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HT
UK
Contact person: Ross Sharp
Telephone: +44 1316502759
E-mail: rsharp4@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.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.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
International Student Recruitment - In Country
Reference number: EC1080
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79600000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The University is seeking a Contractor(s) for the provision of In-Country Presence by establishing staff based in key recruitment regions — South Asia and South East Asia.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
825 000.00
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
79000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM75
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of Edinburgh wishes to conduct an open tender to appoint a third-party provider capable of hosting staff working on our behalf overseas.
The University intends to enhance its international student recruitment activity by establishing an in-country presence within key recruitment markets in South Asia and South East Asia. As part of this initiative, the University will deploy individuals working on our behalf to operate within these regions and requires external support to facilitate their effective establishment and ongoing operations.
This contract is being funded by the University’s Strategic Fund and at present, is only available for the initial 18-month term of the contract. However, it is the intention of The International and Postgraduate Recruitment Team (IRPT) to apply for a subsequent round. If successful, it is at this point the extension period will be enacted.
The budget for the initial 18-month contract term is 375,000 GBP (excluding VAT). Subject to additional funding being secured for a further two years, a further 450,000 GBP (excluding VAT) may be made available, provided the University secures such funding and enacts the extension period. This additional funding is not guaranteed at this stage. If all extensions are enacted, the total contract value would be 825,000 GBP.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 18
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
A further 1 x 2-year is extension is available at end of initial term.
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:
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 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:
22/12/2025
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Tender must be valid until:
22/04/2026
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
22/12/2025
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30637. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
The University of Edinburgh is seeking a partnership with a supplier who is committed to delivering community benefits for this contract in the Edinburgh city region. Please provide a methodology detailing your community benefits proposal, how you will resource, deliver, evidence and report your proposed benefits.
See https://www.esescommunities.org/ for more information on potential community benefit opportunities in the Edinburgh city region.
The exact nature, delivery and/or monitoring arrangements of proposed community benefits may be clarified or co-created post tender, however, the bidder response will be enforced as part of the contract at the discretion of the University.
(SC Ref:816372)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sherrif Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH11LB
UK
Telephone: +44 01312252525
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
21/11/2025