Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University Of Edinburgh
Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HT
Contact
Elliot Freeman
Telephone
+44 1316502759
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
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
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Reference number
EC1045
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79342000 - Marketing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The University of Edinburgh’s Accommodation, Catering & Events (ACE) department is seeking to establish a contract for its commercial marketing and communications services. This initiative aims to appoint external agencies across three key lots: Paid Advertising and Digital Strategy, Public Relations and Branding & Design. 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.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1,400,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Branding and Design
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79340000 - Advertising and marketing services
- 79341000 - Advertising services
- 79341100 - Advertising consultancy services
- 79341200 - Advertising management services
- 79341400 - Advertising campaign services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60
Price - Weighting: 40
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £400,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The University will have the option to extend this contract by an additional period of 24-months.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The University will have the option to extend this contract by an additional period of 24-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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Paid Digital Advertising and Digital Strategy
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79341000 - Advertising services
- 79341100 - Advertising consultancy services
- 79341400 - Advertising campaign services
- 79340000 - Advertising and marketing services
- 79341200 - Advertising management services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60
Price - Weighting: 40
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £600,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The University will have the option to extend this contract by an additional period of 24-months.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The University will have the option to extend this contract by an additional period of 24-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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Public Relations
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79416000 - Public relations services
- 79416100 - Public relations management services
- 79416200 - Public relations consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60
Price - Weighting: 40
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £400,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The University will have the option to extend this contract by an additional period of 24-months.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The University will have the option to extend this contract by an additional period of 24-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.1.2) 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
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
The SLA and KPIs applicable to this contract are detailed in the ITT for each lot.
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
1 July 2025
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
1 July 2025
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 28601. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
The University is seeking a partnership with an organisation who is committed to delivering community benefits for this contract in the Edinburgh city region. We have provided an indicative community benefit menu (Schedule 10) to illustrate the type of community benefits that could be delivered and we welcome your own organisations suggestions. Bidders are to complete the community benefit menu alongside a methodology detailing how you will resource, deliver, evidence and report your proposed benefits. The exact nature, delivery and/or monitoring arrangements of proposed community benefits may be clarified or co-created post tender, however, the bidder response will be enforced as part of the contract at the discretion of the University.
(SC Ref:797930)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
Country
United Kingdom