Scope
Description
Liverpool Hope University are seeking to develop a collaborative partnership with a high-quality commercial delivery partner and Online Programme Management (OPM) system provider to offer degree programmes online, globally, meeting the educational, organisational and mission/values of the University.
The successful bidder will have the capability and capacity to facilitate the global online delivery and distribution of Level 7 programmes (Postgraduate Certificates and full Masters routes) through a robust and legally compliant technology platform. The platform will have the capability for applicants to apply, register and pay for agreed programmes, deliver the provision fully online in line with agreed timeframes, administer and mark any assessments in line with university instructions.
Following the initial pilot phase the University will be seeking further developments including but not limited to, for example:
• University, or supplier, developed micro-credentials that can feed into a variety of programme pathways or as stand-alone programmes.
• University, or supplier led, developed programmes at Level 6 and below.
• Development of blended learning modes for university students on campus.
There is an estimated contract award date of January 2026 and an estimated go live date of October 2026 (Note: the go-live date may change depending on the required mobilisation period for each lot but it is not expected to exceed 3 months).
The proposed contract length shall be an 'initial term' of five (5) years, with the option to extend for a period (or periods) of up to a further five (5) years.
Please note that estimated values, contract length (including changes to the initial term and/or extension term options), and timeline dates are all indicative at this stage and may be subject to change as the tender process concludes.
Prospective bidders will be expected to complete and return a Procurement Specific Questionnaire & OPM Supplier Questionnaire - Technical Ability spreadsheet to assess suitability and will be required to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement if they are successful and subsequently invited to participate in the tender stage of this procurement.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031
- Possible extension to 30 September 2036
- 10 years
Description of possible extension:
Option to extend for a period (or periods) of up to a further five (5) years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80300000 - Higher education services
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80430000 - Adult-education services at university level
Contract locations
- UKD72 - Liverpool
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
See attached Procurement Specific Questionnaire.
Technical ability conditions of participation
See attached Procurement Specific Questionnaire & OPM Supplier Questionnaire - Technical Ability spreadsheet.
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
19 September 2025
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
15 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Completed Procurement Specific Questionnaires & OPM Supplier Questionnaire - Technical Ability spreadsheets should be sent to procurement@hope.ac.uk by 12.00 (noon) on Wednesday 15th October 2025.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
No
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Suppliers to be invited to tender
Maximum 3 suppliers
Selection criteria:
Answers to questions in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire & OPM Supplier Questionnaire - Technical Ability spreadsheet will be used by Liverpool Hope University to identify upto 3 suppliers to progress to the tender stage, which will be administered via In-Tend.
Award decision date (estimated)
23 January 2026
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Potential bidders are asked to complete and return the attached Procurement Specific Questionnaire & OPM Supplier Questionnaire - Technical Ability spreadsheet by 12.00 (noon) Wednesday 15th October 2025 by sending it to procurement@hope.ac.uk.
From the bidders who respond, Liverpool Hope University will select a maximum of 3 providers who will then progress to the full tender stage - bidders will be invited via the In-Tend portal and should ensure that they are registered via;
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hope/aspx/Home
Before progressing to the tender stage, successful bidders will need to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the University, otherwise they will be removed from the process.
Subsequent stages will include;
- Tender stage
- A demonstration of capability
- An Interview.
Documents
Associated tender documents
Online Programme Management (OPM) System - Procurement Specific Questionnaire.docx
OPM Supplier Questionnaire - Technical Ability.xlsx
Contracting authority
LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY
- Companies House: 03285547
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXCM-1417-MQRR
HOPE PARK, TAGGART AVENUE
LIVERPOOL
L16 9JD
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@hope.ac.uk
Region: UKD72 - Liverpool
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government