Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
SRUC
Peter Wilson Building , Kings Buildings West Mains Road
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
UK
Telephone: +44 1315354000
E-mail: procurement@sruc.ac.uk
Fax: +44 1315354314
NUTS: UKM75
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.sruc.ac.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00021
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:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
www.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
Digital Media Planning and Buying Services
Reference number: 45600
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79340000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
SRUC is seeking to appoint one or two media buying agencies who have the experience to develop and deliver media activity in the higher education sector within local and international markets, while recognising the different perspectives, challenges, market demands and media consumption that exist within different countries.
The selected suppliers must have the ability to deliver and manage several campaigns across multiple channels and deliver the highest levels of engagement and conversion in the most cost-effective way.
The suppliers should be able to recommend the most effective media engagement strategy through their understanding of the varying media landscape and consumer habits of our intended audiences.
The appointed agencies will also support SRUC in delivering its institutional objectives through effective paid media activity designed to increase brand awareness, drive student recruitment, promote commercial services and support wider stakeholder engagement across Scotland, the UK and international markets.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
320 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Digital Media Planning and Buying Services – Scotland
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79341000
79341100
79341200
79341400
79342000
79342200
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
SRUC is seeking to appoint a media buying agency who has the experience to develop and deliver media activity in the higher education sector within a local Scottish market, while recognising the different perspectives, challenges, market demands and media consumption that exist.
The selected supplier must have the ability to deliver and manage several campaigns across multiple channels and deliver the highest levels of engagement and conversion in the most cost-effective way. The supplier should be able to recommend the most effective media engagement strategy through their understanding of the varying media landscape and consumer habits of our intended audiences.
The appointed agency will also support SRUC in delivering its institutional objectives through effective paid media activity designed to increase brand awareness, drive student recruitment, promote commercial services and support wider stakeholder engagement across Scotland.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Contract will commence on or around 5 January 2027 for a period of 2 years with the possibility of 2 one-year extensions by mutual agreement. Renewal will follow.
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:
Yes
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
Digital Media Planning and Buying Services – UK and International
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79341000
79341100
79341200
79341400
79342000
79342200
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
SRUC is seeking to appoint a media buying agency who has the experience to develop and deliver media activity in the higher education sector within UK and international markets, while recognising the different perspectives, challenges, market demands and media consumption that exist within different countries.
The selected supplier must have the ability to deliver and manage several campaigns across multiple channels and deliver the highest levels of engagement and conversion in the most cost-effective way. The supplier should be able to recommend the most effective media engagement strategy through their understanding of the varying media landscape and consumer habits of our intended audiences.
The appointed agency will also support SRUC in delivering its institutional objectives through effective paid media activity designed to increase brand awareness, drive student recruitment, promote commercial services and support wider stakeholder engagement across the UK and international markets.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Contract will commence on or around 5 January 2027 for a period of 2 years with the possibility of 2 one-year extensions by mutual agreement. Renewal will follow.
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:
Yes
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.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
All criteria as listed within the tender document.
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:
11/11/2026
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
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
11/11/2026
Local time: 12:00
Place:
SRUC Edinburgh
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure:
Procurement Manager
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
2030
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=844134.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
(SC Ref:844134)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=844134
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice Of The Peace Court
Courthouse, 27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
UK
Telephone: +44 1312252525
Internet address(es)
URL: www.scotcourts.gov.uk
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice Of The Peace Court
Courthouse, 27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
UK
Telephone: +44 1312252525
Internet address(es)
URL: www.scotcourts.gov.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
12/10/2026