UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

The University of Sussex (Sussex) is preparing to seek a partner for the provision of Online Programme Management (OPM) Services, with the current contract set to expire on 5 October 2027 and the new contract commencing on 6 October 2027. Under the existing arrangement, Sussex has collaborated with a partner to deliver a portfolio of Masters-level degree courses accessible to students both nationally and internationally via online distance learning. The current contract encompasses a range of services across three core areas. • Marketing and Recruitment: Market Research and Strategy, Lead Generation, Inquiry Management, Admissions Support, Application Processing, Reporting and Analysis. • Course Development and Delivery Model: Course Design and Development, Content Creation, Platform Integration, Technical Support, Continuous Improvement, Compliance and Reporting. • Student Support: Induction and Orientation, Ongoing Support, Monitoring and Communication, Reporting. As the end of the current collaboration approaches, Sussex is actively reviewing its strategy for online learning. The University's strategic aims are to establish a sustainable, high-quality online provision aligned with the University's strategic priorities, enhancing our institutional reputation globally. The provision will be future-ready in terms of modularity, flexibility, and compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. Further details regarding this engagement are available in the Instruction Document, which can be accessed via the e-sourcing portal, Proactis: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/account/login While participation in this engagement is not mandatory for involvement in any future procurement process, responses received will help inform the Contracting Authority about the level of market interest. Additionally, feedback from this engagement may help shape the final service requirements and inform the design of the forthcoming procurement strategy, ensuring it reflects both institutional priorities and sector best practice.

The university currently hosts an on-campus "International Study Centre" which delivers routes to degree courses for international students. The partner provider recruits students and provides options for entry that are taught by the provider and certified by Sussex. At the successful completion of the course students are invited to join their selected course and enrol as Sussex students. https://isc.sussex.ac.uk/programmes This provision is due to expire at the end of academic year 2029/30 (31 July 2030). The university is therefore engaging the market to assist in the formation of our plans for this key student recruitment route. We see this as an opportunity to challenge our assumptions across the board about how we can support potential students and encourage them to enrol at Sussex. To this end while the international student pathway is forming the core of our investigation in this project, we see this as an opportunity to reevaluate pathways across all student cohorts, locations, models and formats. We have recently conducted premarket engagement in our Online Distance Learning space (with a tender proposed for 2026) and across the University we are seeking ways to respond to the increasingly dynamic student market. As such rather than framing specific requirements we have provided objectives and needs to meet. Our hope is that by engaging with suppliers we can be innovative in our response to student demand in collaboration with the market to meet student needs while providing sustainable income and value for money for all involved.

The university will be seeking a partner to support the provision of Online Distance Learning. In 2017 the University tendered, via a Competitive Dialogue process (under PCR 2015), for a partner to deliver a portfolio of Masters level degree courses that could be accessed by students nationally and internationally through Online Distance Learning. Sussex entered into a ten-year contract with Pearson and built up a portfolio of 9 online Masters courses. In 2023 the contract was novated to Embanet T/A Boundless Learning and the agreement ends in March 2028. Individual course-sheets are deemed separate, standalone agreements. A course-sheet term is 10 years from the date of commencement of teaching, unless subject to earlier termination in accordance with the collaboration agreement. Currently each course sheet has a different commencement of teaching date with the most recent course-sheet commencing in May 2023. Due to the upcoming end date of the collaboration agreement, we are currently considering our strategy for on-line distance learning. In line with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023, a procurement activity will be taking place in relation to our future on-line learning provision. This activity will include early market research to seek contributions from potential bidders, including the incumbent, to help shape our strategy. Market engagement with all potential suppliers is planned to commence in summer 2025. Services delivered by the supplier under the current contract arrangements: Marketing and Recruitment: Market Research and Strategy, Lead Generation, Inquiry Management, Admissions Support, Application Processing, Reporting and Analysis. Course Development and Delivery Model: Course Design and Development, Content Creation, Platform Integration, Technical Support, Continuous Improvement, Compliance and Reporting. Student Support: Induction and Orientation, Ongoing Support, Monitoring and Communication, Reporting. This is in very early stages but due to its impact across the university and the time required to gather information in order to define the strategy for this key requirement, an engagement piece is appropriate

The University of Sussex is a research intensive university. Our Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine comprises 5 schools; Engineering and Informatics, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Psychology and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School . This tender will be to identify a main supplier to provide the majority of the university's laboratory consumables. This was previously awarded via a Framework.

The current services involves: Subscriptions agent services for the supply of print and electronic serials and periodicals on a prepaid annual subscription basis. The scope of products includes (but is not limited to):  Current and back-issues of periodicals, newspapers, and annuals (conference  proceedings, reports, yearbooks, etc)  Journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions, and other similar publications of societies  Numbered monographic series  Standing Orders  Databases (including e-book content)  Membership subscriptions Associated services include consolidation services for print subscriptions and also any additional services that relate to the supply and management of subscription resources, such as usage analytics tools and Open Access publishing services. The original route to market for the existing requirement was via a Framework.

A Travel Management Company is required by Sussex to provide travel services to the university for business purposes. The Travel Management Company (TMC) will provide a Business Travel managed service for all UK, International travel and associated services in addition to Student Group Travel. The University will be able to research and book using an online tool and/or via offline booking channels using a traditional call centre/agent type operation. This will cover UK and International Air, Rail, and Hotel services; Ferry services; Eurostar; International Vehicle Hire; Visa services and relevant professional advice to all clients. The TMC will provide Management Information (MI) to the University and allow for visibility on travel and risk identification to support with crisis management, spend data and sustainability data. This has previously been awarded via a Framework.

The Water Retail Contract will cover the supply of water and the removal of wastewater across the entire University estate, including Trade Effluent Consents where applicable. Previously this has been awarded via a framework.

A service contract for external legal support for the University's in-house legal team. This is for services that require specific expertise or where the university requires additional resources. Previously this has been awarded via a Framework

The purpose of this PIN is to gauge interest and connect with providers within this marketplace to better understand market interest, capability and capacity to deliver the requirements. This notice is for information only and the Contracting Authority reserves the right to not proceed to tender or at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notice or notices or at any other time. Any subsequent procurement will be advertised separately and all organisations wanting to participate will need to respond to the procurement advertisement as and when published. The University are seeking expressions of interest from potential suppliers for the following work and services: - Refurbishment of 6x pre-existing tennis courts with a new all year round surface including fencing and floodlighting - Provision of a pod type facility to include a toilet and clubroom space - The construction and operation of 4x brand new padel courts - Use of a concession contract model to fund all of the above Suppliers are invited to send expressions of interest and provide relevant information to the University via suppliers@sussex.ac.uk on or before 28th February 2025

The university operates a Cycle to Work scheme for staff. This is through two suppliers for broader choice and this activity is in preparation for the end of the second supplier contract. This was originally let via a framework.

The University of Sussex is building significant internal capability to address the challenges of decarbonisation, but this will need to be supplemented by specific technical and organisational advice in targeted areas, including the built environment, decarbonisation modelling and energy systems design. The University intends to procure this expertise through appointing a consultant(s). The purpose of this procurement exercise is to select and appoint one or more Consultants to assist with the creation of a new Net Zero Pathway (NZP) Report to assist with the University's commitment to reach Net Zero by 2035. Production of the Net Zero Pathway Report will be led by the University with consultancy input to contribute technical knowledge to specific areas. The University has previously commissioned an NZP which did not provide a clear and detailed blueprint or road map that could be translated into a credible delivery plan. This new report therefore needs to set out how the University will reduce its carbon emissions with clearly defined elements to ensure it operates sustainably, ethically and responsibly. Interested parties should declare an expression of interest by email directly to Michael Prior m.prior@sussex.ac.uk and a capability assessment will be sent to parties who opt in.