Official UK procurement notice
University of York - Transforming Online Education
Authority: University Of York (Pelican) (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionA high calibre, strategic partner to accelerate the growth and global reach of the University of York Online portfolio.
With a mature and successful postgraduate online degree presence, the University plans to expand its current degree
portfolio and develop new offerings in short courses, stackables and micro-credentials. Our needs include an OfS registered (or in the process of OfS registration), innovative partner with a proven track record of delivering high-impact, data-driven marketing, lead generation and student recruitment at a global level across a diverse portfolio of degrees, micro credentials and short courses.
We require excellent market insight, conversion management, the delivery of a seamless, high quality digital experience for learner recruitment, as well as having capabilities in B2B sales and recruitment.
The University of York will remain the lead for all current academic pedagogy, teaching, and for the long term student success and
pastoral journey.
Following an initial phase of transition for our existing online programmes, we will take forward new developments including but not necessarily limited to:
New and/or revised online Masters degrees
University- or partner-developed short courses, with credit-bearing options, that may provide pathways to degrees
'Stackable' short courses and awards
Innovative use of AI to support programme development and delivery (content, assessment and feedback) and to enhance the student experience and progression.
- How the procedure runs: Stage 1 (Participation Stage): Selection of Potential Partners to be invited to tender Requests to participate Requests to participate in this ITP require the following documents to be returned and signed to the University: - B0-A - a download into pdf of the information stored by the Potential Partner in the Government's Central Digital Platform ensuring both mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds are completed; i.e. Potential Partners must also upload core Potential Partner information to the Central Digital Platform and confirm to the University that they have done so. - B0-B - the "PSQ" an additional questionnaire with procurement-specific questions - B0-C - the mutual Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) The submission of the documents cited at 2.1.1 via the University's procurement portal In-tend by the deadline for requests to participate, will constitute a request to participate. Where a Potential Partner is a consortium, all members of the consortium must complete Parts B0-A, B0-B and B0-C. The part of the PSQ concerning conditions of participation only requires it to be completed by the lead member of the consortium. Stage 1 Phase 1: Completeness check A complete submission is one which has been received by the deadline for submission of tenders, is substantially complete and complies substantially with the requirements of this ITP. Clarification and further information may be sought from Potential Partners in order to determine if a submission is complete. The University may exclude at this stage any submission that is not complete and may reject any tender submission which is submitted late. Stage 1 Phase 2: Exclusion of excluded and excludable Potential Partners The University will exclude any Potential Partner that is an "Excluded Supplier" or an "Excludable Supplier" based on its response to the PSQ. The University will identify Excludable Suppliers" based on the discretionary exclusion grounds identified in paragraph 7 of this Part C. Stage 1 Phase 3: Application of conditions of participation The University will check that each submission satisfies the conditions of participation set out in this ITP on the basis of the request to participate submitted by the Potential Partner. Clarification and further information may be sought from Potential Partners. The University will exclude at this stage any submission that does not satisfy the conditions of participation set out in paragraph 8 of this Part C. Stage 1 Phase 4: Selection of Potential Partners to be invited to tender All Potential Partners meeting the University's conditions of participation will become Potential Partners (the "Tenderers") to be invited to tender. Stage 1 Phase 5: Notification to unsuccessful Bidders Potential Partners not selected to be Tenderers at Stage 1 Phase 4 will not be entitled to continue in the procurement process. The University intends to notify such unsuccessful Potential Partners at this stage and provide them with feedback (but does not bind itself to do so). Stage 2: Tendering and Negotiation Stage 2 Phase 1: Tender submission and intermediate assessment of tenders The University will issue to Tenderers a bid-ready version of the terms and conditions of contract against which Tenderers must bid when preparing their tender submissions. It is anticipated that this will set out the areas on which the University will not accept tenderer amendments. Tenderers will then submit their tender submissions by the tender submissions deadline (as set out in clause 1.4.8 above). Submissions received will be offers capable of acceptance by the University. Tenderers are strongly encouraged to provide their most competitive bid in their Stage 2 Phase 1 tender submission, as they may not be given the opportunity later in the negotiation process to improve their bid. Stage 2 Phase 2: Evaluation of Qualitative Submissions (Scored) Tenderers are required to complete the scored qualitative questions Part B B1. These qualitative responses will be scored by the University according to the award criteria and scoring methodology set out in paragraph 9 of this Part C. Tenderers are also required to review the bid-ready terms and conditions at Part D of this ITP and use the template provided at Part B B6 to provide the detail and justifications for any amendments they wish to make to these terms. Any such proposed changes are limited to the sections of the terms of conditions identified as permissible within Part B B6. These responses will be scored by the University according to the scoring methodology set out in paragraph 9.4 of this Part C. Tenderers will be invited to ask questions on the ITP and accompanying documents and the technical, deliverability and commercial aspects of the ITP. Stage 2 Phase 3: Evaluation of Quantitative Submissions (Scored) Tenderers are required to complete the pricing template set out in Part B B2. Responses will be scored by the University according to the scoring methodology set out in paragraph 9.2 of this Part C. Stage 2 Phase 4: Assessment of other Part B documents Part B B3 Part B B4 The University will ensure that signed unqualified documents are returned as part of the Tenderers' submissions Stage 2 Phase 5: Interviews (Scores potentially adjusted) All Potential Partners meeting the minimum acceptance criteria will be invited to an interview with the University and its project team. The interview will be used to clarify and confirm the tender submission. The scores awarded to Potential Partners may be adjusted in consideration of the interview and clarification questions asked by the evaluation panel. The Potential Partners will be made aware how each question at interview relates to their tender submission. Scores may be adjusted up or down relative to the answers provided and the score criteria. Stage 3: Negotiations and the Identification of preferred bidder The University will select the preferred bidder from among the Tenderers (the "Preferred Bidder"). The University may do so either: without further submissions, in which case the Preferred Bidder shall be the Tenderer whose submission scored highest at Stage 2 Phase 5 applying the methodology set out in paragraph 9 of this Part C; or with further submissions, by first entering into negotiations with all Tenderers whose tender submissions satisfied the Requirements throughout the Stage 2 Phases, and then inviting all of those Tenderers to negotiate, prior to identifying a Preferred Bidder. Following this initial negotiation round the Preferred Bidder shall be the Tenderer whose revised submission scored highest at this Stage 3 applying the methodology set out in paragraph 9 of this Part C. Stage 4: Preferred bidder The Preferred Bidder will be notified that it is the preferred bidder. The University reserves the right to enter into negotiations with the Preferred Bidder in order to finalise the terms of the contracts (e.g. clarifications, specifications, optimisation and other negotiations to confirm financial commitments or other terms contained in the Preferred Bidder's tender submission and / or BAFO). Where the University decides to enter into the contract without further negotiation and any standstill period has expired without any legal challenge being made, the University shall conclude the contract by issuing a contract award document. In addition, the University will send the Tenderer a legal agreement for signature for its records and in such circumstances the Tenderer shall countersign and return the legal agreement to the University promptly (and no later than 7 days from the date of receipt of such legal agreement). Stage 5: Standstill to entry into contract(s) The University will issue assessment summaries to the successful and unsuccessful Potential Partners in accordance with regulation 31 of the Regulations. The University will also publish a contract award notice in accordance with regulation 27 of the Regulations. Once the relevant standstill period has ended (being 8 working days from the date of the contract award notice), the University intends to enter into a contract with the successful Potential Partner. The University may ask the Preferred Bidder to provide verification of statements made in its PSQ to confirm that it satisfies the conditions of participation and to confirm it is not an Excluded or Excludable Potential Partner.
CPV: Advertising and marketing services · Higher education services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£100
- Economic & financial standing
As provided in the Invitation to Participate documentation provided at in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home ↗
- Technical & professional ability
As provided in the Invitation to Participate documentation provided at in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home ↗
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 (18)
- Business plan: 10.4%
- Widening participation: 5.2%
- Marketing plan (degrees): 3.9%
- Recruitment strategy: 3.9%
- Recruitment service: 3.9%
- Admissions: 3.9%
- Monitoring quality: 3.9%
- Organisational capability: 5.85%
- Implementation plan (degrees): 4.88%
- Data integration: 3.58%
- Short courses proposal: 4.87%
- Marketing plan (short courses): 3.9%
- Implementing (short courses): 0.97%
- Research: 3.25%
- Contract amendments: 1.95%
- Community benefits: 0.65%
- Total income current programmes: 25%
- Total income new programme proposals: 10%
Published award criteria (18)
- Total income current programmes: total income to University on current programmes years 1-5
- Total income new programme proposals: Total income to University on new programme proposals years 1-10
- Business plan
- Widening participation
- Marketing plan (degrees)
- Recruitment strategy
- Recruitment service
- Admissions
- Monitoring quality
- Organisational capability
- Implementation plan (degrees): Percentage rounded for the notice
- Data integration: Percentage rounded for the notice
- Short courses proposal: Percentage rounded for the notice
- Marketing plan (short courses)
- Implementing (short courses): Percentage rounded for the notice
- Research
- Contract amendments
- Community benefits
- Economic & financial standing
As provided in the Invitation to Participate documentation provided at in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home ↗
- Technical & professional ability
As provided in the Invitation to Participate documentation provided at in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home ↗
- Price carries 35 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3.5 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- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 20 Jan 2026, 16:01 GMT
- Last source update
- 23 Jul 2026, 11:27 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 10 Jun 2026
- Authority reference
UY PROC 1240- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-023942- Accelerated
- Qualifying planned procurement notice
- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060a4eFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
Payment details as stated in the contract document issued with the Invitation to Tender.
- How it runs
Stage 1 (Participation Stage): Selection of Potential Partners to be invited to tender
Requests to participate
Requests to participate in this ITP require the following documents to be returned and signed to the University:
- B0-A - a download into pdf of the information stored by the Potential Partner in the Government's Central Digital Platform ensuring both mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds are completed; i.e. Potential Partners must also upload core Potential Partner information to the Central Digital Platform and confirm to the University that they have done so.
- B0-B - the "PSQ" an additional questionnaire with procurement-specific questions
- B0-C - the mutual Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA)
The submission of the documents cited at 2.1.1 via the University's procurement portal In-tend by the deadline for requests to participate, will constitute a request to participate.
Where a Potential Partner is a consortium, all members of the consortium must complete Parts B0-A, B0-B and B0-C. The part of the PSQ concerning conditions of participation only requires it to be completed by the lead member of the consortium.
Stage 1 Phase 1: Completeness check
A complete submission is one which has been received by the deadline for submission of tenders, is substantially complete and complies substantially with the requirements of this ITP. Clarification and further information may be sought from Potential Partners in order to determine if a submission is complete. The University may exclude at this stage any submission that is not complete and may reject any tender submission which is submitted late.
Stage 1 Phase 2: Exclusion of excluded and excludable Potential Partners
The University will exclude any Potential Partner that is an "Excluded Supplier" or an "Excludable Supplier" based on its response to the PSQ. The University will identify Excludable Suppliers" based on the discretionary exclusion grounds identified in paragraph 7 of this Part C.
Stage 1 Phase 3: Application of conditions of participation
The University will check that each submission satisfies the conditions of participation set out in this ITP on the basis of the request to participate submitted by the Potential Partner. Clarification and further information may be sought from Potential Partners. The University will exclude at this stage any submission that does not satisfy the conditions of participation set out in paragraph 8 of this Part C.
Stage 1 Phase 4: Selection of Potential Partners to be invited to tender
All Potential Partners meeting the University's conditions of participation will become Potential Partners (the "Tenderers") to be invited to tender.
Stage 1 Phase 5: Notification to unsuccessful Bidders
Potential Partners not selected to be Tenderers at Stage 1 Phase 4 will not be entitled to continue in the procurement process. The University intends to notify such unsuccessful Potential Partners at this stage and provide them with feedback (but does not bind itself to do so).
Stage 2: Tendering and Negotiation
Stage 2 Phase 1: Tender submission and intermediate assessment of tenders
The University will issue to Tenderers a bid-ready version of the terms and conditions of contract against which Tenderers must bid when preparing their tender submissions. It is anticipated that this will set out the areas on which the University will not accept tenderer amendments. Tenderers will then submit their tender submissions by the tender submissions deadline (as set out in clause 1.4.8 above).
Submissions received will be offers capable of acceptance by the University.
Tenderers are strongly encouraged to provide their most competitive bid in their Stage 2 Phase 1 tender submission, as they may not be given the opportunity later in the negotiation process to improve their bid.
Stage 2 Phase 2: Evaluation of Qualitative Submissions (Scored)
Tenderers are required to complete the scored qualitative questions Part B B1. These qualitative responses will be scored by the University according to the award criteria and scoring methodology set out in paragraph 9 of this Part C.
Tenderers are also required to review the bid-ready terms and conditions at Part D of this ITP and use the template provided at Part B B6 to provide the detail and justifications for any amendments they wish to make to these terms. Any such proposed changes are limited to the sections of the terms of conditions identified as permissible within Part B B6. These responses will be scored by the University according to the scoring methodology set out in paragraph 9.4 of this Part C. Tenderers will be invited to ask questions on the ITP and accompanying documents and the technical, deliverability and commercial aspects of the ITP.
Stage 2 Phase 3: Evaluation of Quantitative Submissions (Scored)
Tenderers are required to complete the pricing template set out in Part B B2. Responses will be scored by the University according to the scoring methodology set out in paragraph 9.2 of this Part C.
Stage 2 Phase 4: Assessment of other Part B documents Part B B3 Part B B4
The University will ensure that signed unqualified documents are returned as part of the Tenderers' submissions
Stage 2 Phase 5: Interviews (Scores potentially adjusted)
All Potential Partners meeting the minimum acceptance criteria will be invited to an interview with the University and its project team. The interview will be used to clarify and confirm the tender submission. The scores awarded to Potential Partners may be adjusted in consideration of the interview and clarification questions asked by the evaluation panel. The Potential Partners will be made aware how each question at interview relates to their tender submission. Scores may be adjusted up or down relative to the answers provided and the score criteria.
Stage 3: Negotiations and the Identification of preferred bidder
The University will select the preferred bidder from among the Tenderers (the "Preferred Bidder"). The University may do so either:
without further submissions, in which case the Preferred Bidder shall be the Tenderer whose submission scored highest at Stage 2 Phase 5 applying the methodology set out in paragraph 9 of this Part C; or
with further submissions, by first entering into negotiations with all Tenderers whose tender submissions satisfied the Requirements throughout the Stage 2 Phases, and then inviting all of those Tenderers to negotiate, prior to identifying a Preferred Bidder. Following this initial negotiation round the Preferred Bidder shall be the Tenderer whose revised submission scored highest at this Stage 3 applying the methodology set out in paragraph 9 of this Part C.
Stage 4: Preferred bidder
The Preferred Bidder will be notified that it is the preferred bidder. The University reserves the right to enter into negotiations with the Preferred Bidder in order to finalise the terms of the contracts (e.g. clarifications, specifications, optimisation and other negotiations to confirm financial commitments or other terms contained in the Preferred Bidder's tender submission and / or BAFO).
Where the University decides to enter into the contract without further negotiation and any standstill period has expired without any legal challenge being made, the University shall conclude the contract by issuing a contract award document. In addition, the University will send the Tenderer a legal agreement for signature for its records and in such circumstances the Tenderer shall countersign and return the legal agreement to the University promptly (and no later than 7 days from the date of receipt of such legal agreement).
Stage 5: Standstill to entry into contract(s)
The University will issue assessment summaries to the successful and unsuccessful Potential Partners in accordance with regulation 31 of the Regulations. The University will also publish a contract award notice in accordance with regulation 27 of the Regulations.
Once the relevant standstill period has ended (being 8 working days from the date of the contract award notice), the University intends to enter into a contract with the successful Potential Partner.
The University may ask the Preferred Bidder to provide verification of statements made in its PSQ to confirm that it satisfies the conditions of participation and to confirm it is not an Excluded or Excludable Potential Partner.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 27 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission deadline
- 27 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Submissions are to be uploaded to the University's procurement portal (In-Tend) at: in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home ↗
Timeline
20 Jan 2026 → 4 Aug 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published280 days ago20 Jan 2026, 16:01 GMT
- Market engagement249 days ago20 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
Interested parties should register at our procurement portal - In-tend: in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home ↗
All information pertinent to this Preliminary Market Engagement will be communicated via the above mentioned portal. Please do not email us. Please use the link, register and follow the instructions on the portal.
Our non-disclosure agreement must be signed before sensitive information is shared. Instructions to receive the NDA , will be provided on In-tend. Your status as a bona fide potential service delivery partner with the minimum credentials must be verified before sensitive information is shared.
Our consultation focuses upon our substantive draft of the procurement documentation for our imminent Invitation to Participate which will be published in March. We ask you to review our draft Outcomes-based Specification with relevant annexes, our draft legal Term Sheet and our draft Quantitative (price) Reply Form. Our intent is to understand from you what you feel is missing, ambiguous, surprising, unhelpful, valued, strategically aligned etc within the documentation so we can improve it for a better Partnership with you.
We ask you to respond to our questionnaire which should be submitted via In-tend by 16:00hrs on Friday 20 February 2026.
We reserve the right to hold a 1-2-1 online meeting with a number of the respondents to the questionnaire to better understand their responses and or to explore some of the concepts they raise. Such online meetings would be held on 26 February or 2 March 2026. Please reserve these dates in your diary in case you are requested to attend.
- Next notice expected225 days ago16 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Tender notice published225 days ago17 Mar 2026, 11:18 GMT
- Submission deadline215 days ago27 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by139 days ago10 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts120 days ago30 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent97 days ago23 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published97 days ago23 Jul 2026, 11:27 BST
- Standstill ends84 days ago4 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
Notice history
8 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 20 Jan 2026- Planned procurement notice published20 Jan 2026, 16:01 GMTUK3
- Preliminary market engagement notice published9 Feb 2026, 12:02 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published17 Mar 2026, 11:18 GMTUK4
- Published value published: £10017 Mar 2026, 11:18 GMT
- Status changed to active17 Mar 2026, 11:18 GMT
- Contract award notice published23 Jul 2026, 11:27 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete23 Jul 2026, 11:27 BST
- Contract signature expected7 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2026-01: 1 release · 20 Jan 2026
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FutureLearn LtdSMETransforming Online Education10 Aug 2026 – 9 Aug 2031 · up to 10 Aug 2041Extensions: Where the services and commercial offer have evolved or remained similar in scale and or nature, where the requirement continues, where the performance of the services continues to meet our requirements, the University reserves the right to extend this agreement by either one or two consecutive periods of five years. Contract sum is based on the submitted quantitative reply form profile for the 5 year initial period and the subsequent 5 year extension period and an estimation has been calculated for the further 5 year period (based on the profile provided for the first 5 year extension period) to give an estimated calculation for the potential total 15 year contract period. · Options: The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. The partner can increase the scale, number or type of courses to the provision. The scope is anticipated to commence with marketing and admissions services but is scoped to include the delivery of new full, part time and short courses and the provision of micro credentials. For reasons of time, the initial contract is limited to the services related to full courses. It is fully expected that a planned variation will include the addition of stackable and/or micro-credentials. The value of the services related to the delivery of these stackable and microcredentials has not been factored into the potential 5+5+5 year, i.e. fifteen year contract sum cited above. | £92,000,000 inc. VATten times the procedure’s published value or more · possibly a unit error, check the notice | 16 Jul 2026standstill to 4 Aug 2026 | Standstill |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1final-stage tenders · 4 at stage one | 1 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonFUTURELEARN LIMITEDSME · Greater London
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- FUTURELEARN LIMITEDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (5)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender