Official UK procurement notice
Award for the Provision of In- Country Presence South- Asia, Nigeria & Malaysia (GCU)
Authority: Glasgow Caledonian University (Education)
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe 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.
CPV: Business development consultancy services
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · no lot values published · a supplier may bid for at most 3 of them · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan)Awarded
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.
Lot #2Award for In- Country Presence in NigeriaAwarded
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.
Lot #3Award for In-Country Presence in South East AsiaAwarded
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.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (8)
- Service Delivery – Methodology: 30%
- Service Delivery – Key Personnel: 13%
- Service Delivery – Continuous Improvement and Innovation: 10%
- Management Information/Reporting: 8%
- Business Continuity: 5%
- price: 30%
- Sustainable Procurement – University Values: 2%
- Sustainable Procurement – Fair Work Practices: 2%
Published award criteria (8)
- Service Delivery – Methodology: 30
- Service Delivery – Key Personnel: 13
- Service Delivery – Continuous Improvement and Innovation: 10
- Management Information/Reporting: 8
- Business Continuity: 5
- Sustainable Procurement – University Values: 2
- Sustainable Procurement – Fair Work Practices: 2
- Price: 30
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to question within 4B.5 of the SPD and Economic and Financial standing section of the Contract Notice
Bidders must confirm they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:
- Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 5 Million GBP
- Professional Liability Insurance = 1 Million GBP
- Public Liability Insurance = 5 Million GBP
Please refer to question within 4B.6 of the SPD and Economic and financial standing section of the Contract Notice
The successful Contractor will be required to provide 2 years audited accounts, or equivalent if awarded the Contract.
Information provided for Part III and IV will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis, where:
Pass = meets requirements as stated in Contract Notice
Fail = does not meet requirements as stated in Contract Notice
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 16 Apr 2025, 16:53 BST
- Last source update
- 2 Oct 2025, 11:01 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 16 May 2025 – …
- Authority reference
GCU-MKT-2025-001- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-061592- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05045eFind a Tender
Publisher note: (SC Ref:811531)
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 16 May 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 16 May 2025, 12:00 BST
Timeline
16 May 2025 → 2 Oct 2025 · 4 dates- Submission deadline16 May 2025, 12:00 BST
- Bids opened16 May 2025, 12:00 BST
- Bids must remain valid until16 May 2025, 23:59 BST
- Notice published385 days ago2 Oct 2025, 11:01 BST
Notice history
1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender- Status changed to complete2 Oct 2025, 11:01 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan)1 award | |||
| QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited | £246,648 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Award for In- Country Presence in Nigeria1 award | |||
| Illume Student Advisory Services | £385,000 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Award for In-Country Presence in South East Asia1 award | |||
| Illume Student Advisory Services | £263,000 † | — | Awarded |
Contracts
Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan) · QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited
- Signed
- 19 Sept 2025
- Value
- £246,648
- Status
- active
Award for In- Country Presence in Nigeria · Illume Student Advisory Services
- Signed
- 11 Sept 2025
- Value
- £385,000
- Status
- active
Award for In-Country Presence in South East Asia · Illume Student Advisory Services
- Signed
- 11 Sept 2025
- Value
- £263,000
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan) | 11bids · 11 electronic · 11 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
| 2 · Award for In- Country Presence in Nigeria | 11bids · 11 electronic · 11 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
| 3 · Award for In-Country Presence in South East Asia | 9bids · 9 electronic · 9 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Glasgow Sheriff CourtReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
2 commercial parties on the notice- Illume Student Advisory ServicesAwarded supplier
- QS Quacquarelli Symonds LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.