Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Glasgow Caledonian University
70 Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow
G4 0BA
UK
Telephone: +44 1413313578
E-mail: procurement@gcu.ac.uk
NUTS: UKM82
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/aboutgcu/services-and-facilities/finance/procurement
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00195
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
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
Award for the Provision of In- Country Presence South- Asia, Nigeria & Malaysia (GCU)
Reference number: GCU-MKT-2025-001
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79411100
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 in the South Asia region (excluding Pakistan), Nigeria and South East Asia.
The Directorate of Future Students, Marketing and Communications key function is to develop, manage and execute the University’s marketing and recruitment strategy, enabling the University to achieve student recruitment targets (all degree levels) from UK and international markets, as well as more broadly build and bolster our brand position and levels of recognition.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
894 647.60
GBP
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79411100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University has identified the need for continued South Asia regional presence to support recruitment targets and associated objectives.
The South Asia region has been identified through market intelligence and experience as a region with potential to contribute significantly to these targets over the next three years. The priority markets in this region for GCU are India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We require the regional presence in South Asia to support recruitment and conversion activities in these priority markets.
We require an in regional presence to provide effective, measurable and proven strategic recruitment and conversion support. Based on research and previous experience of the HE sectors; this presence should be in a city hub in India that fits well with our course portfolio and provides the institution with competitive advantage. (i.e. either Mumbai and Delhi). We are requesting recommendations as how best to resource this.
The contractor must have capacity and resources in South Asia region to efficiently facilitate the attainment of international targets.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Methodology
/ Weighting: 30
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Key Personnel
/ Weighting: 13
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Continuous Improvement and Innovation
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: Management Information/Reporting
/ Weighting: 8
Quality criterion: Business Continuity
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: Sustainable Procurement – University Values
/ Weighting: 2
Quality criterion: Sustainable Procurement – Fair Work Practices
/ Weighting: 2
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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
Award for In- Country Presence in Nigeria
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79411100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Nigeria has been a top recruitment market for GCU for many years. We require an in-country presence to continue to maximise recruitment opportunities for GCU postgraduate courses and to also grow the appeal of GCU undergraduate courses in the market.
The in-country presence will build relationships with key sponsors and visit on a regular basis and participate in local events.
The regional presence also needs to provide market insights and intelligence that contributes to maximising recruitment opportunities and mitigating risks. In addition to this operational function the University also require full cycle reporting and reflection on engagement to maximise efficiencies.
We require an in regional presence to provide effective, measurable and proven strategic recruitment and conversion support. Based on research and previous experience of the HE sectors; this presence should be in a city hub in Nigeria that fits well with our course portfolio and provides the institution with competitive advantage. We are requesting recommendations as how best to resource this.
The contractor must have capacity and resources in Nigeria to efficiently facilitate the attainment of international targets.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Methodology
/ Weighting: 30
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Key Personnel
/ Weighting: 13
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Continuous Improvement and Innovation
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: Management Information/Reporting
/ Weighting: 8
Quality criterion: Business Continuity
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: Sustainable Procurement – University Values
/ Weighting: 2
Quality criterion: Sustainable Procurement – Fair Work Practices
/ Weighting: 2
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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: 3
II.2.1) Title
Award for In-Country Presence in South East Asia
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79411100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
As GCU begins to enter new priority diversification markets in South East Asia, we are seeking an experienced partner capable of supporting GCU in building, acquiring and maintaining market share over time.
Five of our priority diversification markets are in South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines). All these markets are at market entry or development stage for GCU, with currently very low enrolment numbers.
An in-country presence will serve as the local liaison, fostering consistent communication and relationships with GCU agent network, prospective students and offer holders. By leveraging the local knowledge and cultural understanding, the in-country presence will recommend recruitment and conversion plans to resonate with the target audiences. The representative will conduct information sessions, participate in education fairs, and engage with local schools to actively promote GCU's programmes.
The regional presence will provide market insights and intelligence that contributes to maximising recruitment opportunities and mitigating risk in this region. This is crucial for GCU to make informed decisions and adapt its strategies in the dynamic South East Asian region. In addition to this operational function the University also require full cycle reporting and reflection on engagement to maximise efficiencies.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Methodology
/ Weighting: 30
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Key Personnel
/ Weighting: 13
Quality criterion: Service Delivery – Continuous Improvement and Innovation
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: Management Information/Reporting
/ Weighting: 8
Quality criterion: Business Continuity
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: Sustainable Procurement – University Values
/ Weighting: 2
Quality criterion: Sustainable Procurement – Fair Work Practices
/ Weighting: 2
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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 000-015687
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1
Title: Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan)
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
19/09/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 11
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 11
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 11
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd
1 Tranley Mews, Fleet Road
London
NW3 2DG
UK
Telephone: +44 02072847200
E-mail: qses_receivables@qs.com
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.qs.com/
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 246 647.60
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2
Title: Award for In- Country Presence in Nigeria
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
11/09/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 11
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 11
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 11
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Illume Student Advisory Services
#3301-688 Abbott Street
Vancouver
V6B 0B9
CA
Telephone: +971 508778702
NUTS: CA
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 385 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 3
Title: Award for In-Country Presence in South East Asia
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
11/09/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 9
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 9
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 9
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Illume Student Advisory Services
#3301-688 Abbott Street
Vancouver
V6B 0B9
CA
Telephone: +971 508778702
NUTS: CA
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 263 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:811531)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sheriff Court
1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
02/10/2025