Official UK procurement notice
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Authority: University Of Edinburgh (Education)
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe University of Edinburgh’s Accommodation, Catering & Events (ACE) department is seeking to establish a contract for its commercial marketing and communications services. This initiative originally aimed to appoint external agencies across three key lots: Paid Advertising and Digital Strategy, Public Relations and Branding & Design, however the former was cancelled during the tender process.
By securing expert partners, ACE will enhance brand visibility, streamline communications, and drive commercial success across its portfolio, including The University’s year-round hotels, summer accommodation, highland lodges, event services, catering outlets and hospitality services.
CPV: Advertising and marketing services · Advertising campaign services · Advertising consultancy services · Advertising management services · Advertising services · Marketing services · Public relations consultancy services · Public relations management services · Public relations services
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value (£1,400,000 together) · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Paid Digital Advertising and Digital StrategyCancelledRenewalPublished value£600,000
The appointed supplier will be responsible for planning, buying, and optimising paid social media/Google campaigns across relevant platforms to drive engagement, brand awareness, and conversions for Accommodation, Catering and Events. Additional information: This lot was cancelled during the tender process and no award was made.
Lot #2Public RelationsAwardedRenewalPublished value£400,000
This lot encompasses the development and execution of public relations strategies tailored to the tourism and hospitality sector, with a focus on media outreach, brand partnerships, community engagement, and creating strong relationships with local, national, and international media. The goal is to raise the University’s profile within the commercial hospitality space, boost its reputation, and drive engagement from key audiences, including potential guests and industry stakeholders.
Lot #3Branding and DesignAwardedRenewalPublished value£400,000
This lot will focus on the creation, development, and execution of the University’s commercial branding and design materials to ensure a consistent and impactful visual identity across all commercial initiatives.
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 (2)
- Technical: 60%
- price: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
- Technical: 60
- Price: 40
- Staff
- Names and qualifications of delivery staff must be submitted
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 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
- 28 May 2025, 09:56 BST
- Last source update
- 4 Nov 2025, 10:27 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- 1 Jul 2025 – …
- Authority reference
EC1045- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-070726- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052782Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Performance terms
The SLA and KPIs applicable to this contract are detailed in the ITT for each lot.
Publisher note: Lot 1 was cancelled as it was determined that the specification for this lot did not adequately capture the unique requirements of the University's Accommodation, Catering and Events department. Therefore, the decision was made to not progress this lot any further in this tender. (SC Ref:812513)
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 1 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bid validity
- 120 days from the deadline
- Bids opened
- 1 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
Timeline
1 Jul 2025 → 4 Nov 2025 · 3 dates- Submission deadline1 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Bids opened1 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Notice published353 days ago4 Nov 2025, 10:27 GMT
Notice history
1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender- Status changed to complete4 Nov 2025, 10:27 GMT
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 2 · Public Relations1 award | |||
| FrameSME | £400,000 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Branding and Design1 award | |||
| We are SevenThree LtdSME | £400,000 † | — | Awarded |
1 further award records carry no date or value.
Contracts
Public Relations · FrameSME
- Signed
- 31 Oct 2025
- Value
- £400,000
- Status
- active
Branding and Design · We are SevenThree LtdSME
- Signed
- 31 Oct 2025
- Value
- £400,000
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 · Public Relations | 12bids · 12 electronic · 12 from abroad | 12 | — | — |
| 3 · Branding and Design | 18bids · 18 electronic · 18 from abroad | 17 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Edinburgh Sheriff CourtReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
2 commercial parties on the notice- FrameAwarded supplier
- We are SevenThree LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria