Scope
Reference
2425-02-RCM-LJ
Description
The University requires a media planning and buying agency to assist in achieving its strategic marketing and student recruitment objectives, which include:
● delivering student recruitment success and engagement across the prospective student journey in line with academic and financial targets Home and International
● raising the profile and enhancing the reputation of the University through institutional positioning and research impact
● promoting the University brand and Sheffield city to achieve stand out and cut through in our competitive marketplace
● generating business leads through business engagement activity to support apprenticeship, placement, KTP and other institutional objectives
● Measuring and optimising all activity using data and insights to ensure our activities are relevant and impactful
The agency will proactively support and work in partnership with the University's Marketing Directorate. In scope are all media planning and buying activities across Prospective Student Recruitment marketing and all brand level marketing as well as lead generation business to business marketing, paid search activity and social media campaigns across all audiences.
Total value (estimated)
- £10,416,667 excluding VAT
- £12,500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 January 2026 to 11 January 2029
- Possible extension to 11 January 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Initial term of 3 years followed by one possible extension of 2 further years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79310000 - Market research services
- 79340000 - Advertising and marketing services
Contract locations
- UKE32 - Sheffield
Submission
Enquiry deadline
29 August 2025, 12:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
12 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tender docs will be available via Sheffield Hallam University's In-Tend site https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffieldhallamuniversity
Tenderers will need to be registered on this site in order to view documents and submit bids
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
15 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Price | Price | 35% |
| Social Value | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
The procurement will be conducted using a Competitive Flexible Procedure comprising two stages.
Stage 1 - Conditions of Participation
All interested suppliers must complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), which will include assessment against mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds, financial and legal capacity, and technical ability to perform the Contract. The top four suppliers who meet the participation requirements will be invited to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Final Tender Submission
Qualified suppliers will receive the Invitation to Tender (ITT), final specifications, and associated documents. Final Tenders will be invited. Scored interviews and/or presentations will be held on Monday 10th November as part of the evaluation.
Outcome and Contract Award
Following evaluation of final submissions, the preferred bidder will be identified. All suppliers from Stage 2 will be notified of the outcome. A mobilisation plan will be agreed with the preferred bidder, and the contract will then be awarded.
Contracting authority
Sheffield Hallam University
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10005790
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVMW-4512-JZYY
City Campus
Sheffield
S1 1WB
United Kingdom
Email: strategicprocurement@shu.ac.uk
Website: http://www.shu.ac.uk
Region: UKE32 - Sheffield
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government