Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth, Devon
PL4 8AA
Contact
Kim Steer
Telephone
+44 01752588534
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK41 - Plymouth
National registration number
1128013
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/about-us/university-structure/service-areas/procurement
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
VEAT Notice: Graduation Event Venue Hire
Reference number
HG/UOP/2025_Graduations/075/25
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79952000 - Event services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
VEAT Notice: Graduation Event Venue Hire
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £360,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79952000 - Event services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK41 - Plymouth
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency (VEAT) Notice covers the period of 19th October to 24th October 2025 (the ‘Ceremony Dates’).
The University of Plymouth intends to enter into a rental agreement with the Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) for the provision of student graduation ceremonies.
A Contract by direct award will be concluded under regulation 32.2.b (ii) of the PCR (2015), whereby competition is absent for technical reasons.
The technical reasons are that Theatre Royal Plymouth is the only Economic Operator able to offer a venue for the required dates, whilst also being able to meet the Graduation Ceremony needs of the University.
Graduation Ceremony needs of the University include;
• A venue in close proximity to the University campus
• Sound and lighting infrastructure suitable for graduation ceremonies
• Venue size to be able to accommodate in a single location, three graduation ceremonies per day and a post ceremony reception with the provision of hospitality
• Additional space for robing and photography must be in close proximity, with good accessibility and capable of handling numbers in the region of 16,000 people over the 5 day period.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
A Contract by direct award will be concluded under regulation 32.2.b (ii) of the PCR (2015), whereby competition is absent for technical reasons.
The technical reasons are that Theatre Royal Plymouth is the only Economic Operator able to offer a venue for the required dates, whilst also being able to meet the Graduation Ceremony needs of the University.
Graduation Ceremony needs of the University include;
•A venue in close proximity to the University campus
•Sound and lighting infrastructure suitable for graduation ceremonies
•Venue size to be able to accommodate in a single location, three graduation ceremonies per day and a post ceremony reception with the provision of hospitality
•Additional space for robing and photography must be in close proximity, with good accessibility and capable of handling numbers in the region of 16,000 people over the 5 day period.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13 February 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Theatre Royal Plymouth
Plymouth
PL12TR
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKK41 - Plymouth
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £300,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
University of Plymouth
Plymouth
Country
United Kingdom