Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Queen's University Belfast
Purchasing Office, University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN
Contact
Jackie Glackin
Telephone
+44 2890973026
Fax
+44 2890971390
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKN06 - Belfast
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.in-tendhost.com/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.in-tendhost.com/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
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
https://www.in-tendhost.com/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
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
QUB/2742/25 Student Recruitment South Asia
Reference number
QUB/2742/25
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
In January 2025, the University announced its plans to become the first Russell Group University to open a campus in GIFT City, India. Queen’s commitment over an initial five-year period cements Queen’s position as a leading global university committed to fostering international collaborations.The University has a strong established presence in India and the existing team there also services surrounding countries including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, within the context of student recruitment primarily. The University is now inviting tenders from Economic Operators who can provide comprehensive services across the three service strands outlined below. For clarity, Economic Operators must demonstrate their ability to deliver all three service strands as part of an integrated solution. Strand 1: Delivery of International Student Recruitment outcomes (to UK campus)Strand 2: Delivery of Domestic Student Recruitment outcomes (to GIFT City campus)Strand 3: Implementation and
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- IN - India
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
In January 2025, the University announced its plans to become the first Russell Group University to open a campus in GIFT City, India. Queen’s commitment over an initial five-year period cements Queen’s position as a leading global university committed to fostering international collaborations.The University has a strong established presence in India and the existing team there also services surrounding countries including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, within the context of student recruitment primarily. For information, there are currently circa 800 students enrolled at Queen’s from the markets outlined above, across all study levels. The University is now inviting tenders from Economic Operators who can provide comprehensive services across the three service strands outlined below. For clarity, Economic Operators must demonstrate their ability to deliver all three service strands as part of an integrated solution. Further information is provided in sections 3 -5 below. Strand 1: Delivery of International Student Recruitment outcomes (to UK campus)Strand 2: Delivery of Domestic Student Recruitment outcomes (to GIFT City campus)Strand 3: Implementation and Management of Queen’s Graduate Jobs India initiativeQueen’s University Belfast is seeking to establish a long-term partnership contract management approach where there is a shared ambition to support the delivery of the University’s broader South Asia strategy, with a focus on student recruitment outcomes. The successful supplier must be fully independent of, and not affiliated to, any local university or student recruitment agency. The University would like to engage with a supplier who can provide highly qualified and professional staffing solutions, tax, HR and financial services that are fully compliant with local regulations. The successful economic operator must have demonstrable experience of working with a Russell Group or comparable UK Higher Education institution, specifically within the context of international student recruitment, including comprehensive knowledge of the Higher Education sectors, both in the UK and India. The successful economic operator must also possess experience within the Indian market landscape, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of its corporate and industrial sectors, with a well-established network across key stakeholders.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
65
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract will be subject to renewal in 59 months assuming all extension options have been exercised
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract is for an initial period of 12 months with options to extend by up to a further 53 months
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 three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Please refer to tender documentation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-013671
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
25 March 2025
Local time
4:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
25 March 2025
Local time
4:15pm
Place
Queen's University Belfast
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: 59 months assuming all extension options have been exercised
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
This authority will incorporate a standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to Tenderers. That notification will provide full information on the award decision. The standstill period, which will be for a minimum of 10 calendar days, provides time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the contract is entered into.The Public Contract Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/102) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).