Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University Of Edinburgh
Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HT
Contact
Ross Sharp
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
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
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
International Student Recruitment - In Country
Reference number
EC1080
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The University is seeking a Contractor(s) for the provision of In-Country Presence by establishing staff based in key recruitment regions — South Asia and South East Asia.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £825,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of Edinburgh wishes to conduct an open tender to appoint a third-party provider capable of hosting staff working on our behalf overseas.
The University intends to enhance its international student recruitment activity by establishing an in-country presence within key recruitment markets in South Asia and South East Asia. As part of this initiative, the University will deploy individuals working on our behalf to operate within these regions and requires external support to facilitate their effective establishment and ongoing operations.
This contract is being funded by the University’s Strategic Fund and at present, is only available for the initial 18-month term of the contract. However, it is the intention of The International and Postgraduate Recruitment Team (IRPT) to apply for a subsequent round. If successful, it is at this point the extension period will be enacted.
The budget for the initial 18-month contract term is 375,000 GBP (excluding VAT). Subject to additional funding being secured for a further two years, a further 450,000 GBP (excluding VAT) may be made available, provided the University secures such funding and enacts the extension period. This additional funding is not guaranteed at this stage. If all extensions are enacted, the total contract value would be 825,000 GBP.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Price - Weighting: 30
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
18
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
A further 1 x 2-year is extension is available at end of initial term.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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
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
22 December 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
Tender must be valid until: 22 April 2026
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
22 December 2025
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30637. 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 of Edinburgh is seeking a partnership with a supplier who is committed to delivering community benefits for this contract in the Edinburgh city region. Please provide a methodology detailing your community benefits proposal, how you will resource, deliver, evidence and report your proposed benefits.
See https://www.esescommunities.org/ for more information on potential community benefit opportunities in the Edinburgh city region.
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:816372)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sherrif Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH11LB
Telephone
+44 01312252525
Country
United Kingdom