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.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 originally aimed to appoint external agencies across three key lots: Paid Advertising and Digital Strategy, Public Relations and Branding & Design, however the former was cancelled during the tender process.
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.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £800,000
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.2.11) 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
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.2.11) 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.2.11) 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.2.14) Additional information
This lot was cancelled during the tender process and no award was made.
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: 2025/S 000-027943
Section five. Award of contract
Lot No
1
Title
Paid Digital Advertising and Digital Strategy
A contract/lot is awarded: No
five.1) Information on non-award
The contract/lot is not awarded
Other reasons (discontinuation of procedure)
Section five. Award of contract
Lot No
2
Title
Public Relations
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
31 October 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 12
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 12
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 12
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 12
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Frame
Four Winds Pavilion, Pacific Quay
Glasgow
G51 1DZ
Telephone
+44 1415595840
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKM82 - Glasgow City
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £400,000
Section five. Award of contract
Lot No
3
Title
Branding and Design
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
31 October 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 18
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 17
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 18
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 18
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
We are SevenThree Ltd
37 One George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2HN
Telephone
+44 7411987662
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £400,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Lot 1 was cancelled as it was determined that the specification for this lot did not adequately capture the unique requirements of the University's Accommodation, Catering and Events department. Therefore, the decision was made to not progress this lot any further in this tender.
(SC Ref:812513)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
Country
United Kingdom