Contract

2024 - Chevening and Marshall Scholarship Programmes

  • BRITISH COUNCIL(THE)

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-048442

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0478a4 (view related notices)

Published 13 August 2025, 2:37pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

BRITISH COUNCIL(THE)

1 Redman Place, Stratford,

London

E201JQ

Email

aung.thein@britishcouncil.org

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKI41 - Hackney and Newham

Charity Commission (England and Wales)

209131

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.britishcouncil.org/

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Registered Charity


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

2024 - Chevening and Marshall Scholarship Programmes

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 63515000 - Travel services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

he opportunity is for the possible supplier to work effectively and efficiently with Chevening and Marshall Scholarship awardees and other relevant parties (e.g. applicants, Programme Officers, Commissioners etc.) to book suitable flights from the awardees home country to the UK and back, adhering to the Chevening and Marshall travel policies.The purpose and scope of this ITT and supporting documents are to explain in further detail the requirements and the process for submitting a tender proposal. The British Council is delivering the Chevening and Marshall scholarship programmes on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The Chevening programme (www.chevening.org) was founded in 1983 and brings approximately 1,400 postgraduate students from over 160 countries and territories to study one-year taught Masters programmes at UK universities each academic year. Chevening also runs a small number of fellowship programmes in the UK for mid-career professionals.

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: £3,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 63510000 - Travel agency and similar services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The opportunity is for the possible supplier to work effectively and efficiently with Chevening and Marshall Scholarship awardees and other relevant parties (e.g. applicants, Programme Officers, Commissioners etc.) to book suitable flights from the awardees home country to the UK and back, adhering to the Chevening and Marshall travel policies. The purpose and scope of this ITT and supporting documents are to explain in further detail the requirements and the process for submitting a tender proposal. The British Council is delivering the Chevening and Marshall scholarship programmes on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The Chevening programme (www.chevening.org) was founded in 1983 and brings approximately 1,400 postgraduate students from over 160 countries and territories to study one-year taught Masters programmes at UK universities each academic year. Chevening also runs a small number of fellowship programmes in the UK for mid-career professionals from eligible countries (www.chevening.org/fellowships). Scholars and fellows are selected by British Embassies and High Commissions overseas as part of a rigorous and competitive process; around 65,000 applications are received each year and are reviewed by independent reading committees before being invited to interview. The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) was founded in 1953 and supports up to 50 US citizens per year to pursue one or two-year Masters programmes at UK universities (www.marshallscholarship.org). Marshall applicants have to be endorsed by their US university to be able to apply; approximately 1,000 applications are received each year and around 150 interviews are conducted by eight regional selection committees. Both programmes provide full funding for award recipients, including a monthly stipend to cover living costs, tuition fees, immigration-related costs, study-related allowances and inward and outward travel to the UK. The programmes are funded by taxpayers and partner organisations and therefore need to demonstrate value for money across all aspects of delivery.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40

Quality criterion - Name: Methodology and Approach / Weighting: 10

Cost criterion - Name: Commercial / Weighting: 40

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No


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: No

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2024/S 000-019904


Section five. Award of contract

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

1 December 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 5

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Diversity Travel Limited

Manchester

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
Companies House

05993481

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £3,000,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The High Court

Royal Courts of Justics

London

WC2A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom