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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Hosted Events and Conferencing Services (NIHR)

University of Southampton · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 19:48.

Opportunity overview

The University of Southampton - NETSCC ((NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre) manages the events management contract on behalf of the NIHR for the organisation of approved meetings and researcher training events. The events range in size and duration from small, on day meetings, to large meetings and conferences spanning multiple days. Alongside those events initiated by the NIHR, there will be third party events where it is necessary to ensure that the NIHR has an appropriate and consistent presence and appearance at an agreed programme of events. NETSCC is looking to commission several events annually alongside production of digital literature. The department is looking for an events management supplier that can demonstrate experience of working with a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders. The University conducted this procurement using the open Procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations for the purpose of procuring the services described in the Specification. It should b noted that the current contract between the NETSCC and University of Southampton expired 30th April 2027. In the event that the University is not re-awarded, there may be the need for services to be provided to the University of Southampton under this contract for up to 6-months of the 2-year extension period. The contract will be effective upon signing. The estimated value of the contract was between £600,000.00 and £1,000,000.00 excluding VAT. This was the maximum contract value for the full contract period including any extension periods. This value included all related services, but did not include fees paid by the University directly to venues.

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

Clarity Travel Limited

Matched by number
Contract value
£800k
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
3 Mar 2025
Award ID
011984-2025-2023UoS-0816-1
Status
active
Identifier
GB-COH 07413801
Location
Manchester, UKD33, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV55120000 — Hotel meeting and conference services

Lots

  • The University of Southampton - NETSCC ((NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre) manages the events management contract on behalf of the NIHR for the organisation of approved meetings and researcher training events. The events range in size and duration from small, on day meetings, to large meetings and conferences spanning multiple days. Alongside those events initiated by the NIHR, there will be third party events where it is necessary to ensure that the NIHR has an appropriate and consistent presence and appearance at an agreed programme of events. NETSCC is looking to commission several events annually alongside production of digital literature. The department is looking for an events management supplier that can demonstrate experience of working with a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders. The University conducted this procurement using the open Procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations for the purpose of procuring the services described in the Specification. It should b noted that the current contract between the NETSCC and University of Southampton expired 30th April 2027. In the event that the University is not re-awarded, there may be the need for services to be provided to the University of Southampton under this contract for up to 6-months of the 2-year extension period. The contract will be effective upon signing. The estimated value of the contract was between £600,000.00 and £1,000,000.00 excluding VAT. This was the maximum contract value for the full contract period including any extension periods. This value included all related services, but did not include fees paid by the University directly to venues.£1m

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
2023UoS-0816
Status
complete
Has Recurrence
No
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Bid Opening

Date
5 Nov 2024, 12:01

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Expected award period

Starts
5 Nov 2024, 12:01

Tender Period

Ends
5 Nov 2024, 12:00

Contract terms

Has Electronic Payment
Yes
Has Electronic Ordering
Yes
Electronic Invoicing Policy
allowed

Classification

Id
55120000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Hotel meeting and conference services

Submission terms

Languages

en

Bid Validity Period

Duration In Days
120

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
suitability
Description
To support the financial assessment, the University will obtain a Business Risk Report for all Tenderers and every organisation that is being relied on to meet this procurement, using an independent company called Creditsafe. The University reserves the right to exclude a Tenderer or request provision of further assurances such as parent company / bank guarantee where a Tenderer's Business Risk Score is: ''Moderate Risk''; ''High Risk''; ''Very High Risk''; or ''Not Rated'', based on the rating provided by Creditsafe. Where a Business Risk Score from our external system is not available, then an alternative method of assessing financial standing will be used. This method is detailed within the Invitation to Tender document set.

Applies To

supplier
Criterion 2
Minimum
Tenderers are advised that a requirement of this procurement is to have in place, or commit to obtain prior to the commencement of the contract, the following minimum insurance levels: Employers (Compulsory) Liability: £ 10 Million GBP per occurrence. Product Liability: £ 10 Million GBP per occurrence. Public Liability: £ 10 Million GBP per occurrence. Professional Indemnity: £ 5 Million
Criterion 3
Type
technical
Description
Tenderers attention is drawn to the MANDATORY requirements of the award criteria: Grounds for mandatory exclusion - Mandatory technical requirements M1 to M2 - Failure to meet the minimum requested score for Highly Desirable requirements 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1 Grounds for discretionary exclusion - Economic & Financial Standing - Insurance - Compliance with equality legislation - Health & Safety - Legal requirements

Applies To

supplier

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
No
Description
The University of Southampton - NETSCC ((NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre) manages the events management contract on behalf of the NIHR for the organisation of approved meetings and researcher training events. The events range in size and duration from small, on day meetings, to large meetings and conferences spanning multiple days. Alongside those events initiated by the NIHR, there will be third party events where it is necessary to ensure that the NIHR has an appropriate and consistent presence and appearance at an agreed programme of events. NETSCC is looking to commission several events annually alongside production of digital literature. The department is looking for an events management supplier that can demonstrate experience of working with a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders. The University conducted this procurement using the open Procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations for the purpose of procuring the services described in the Specification. It should b noted that the current contract between the NETSCC and University of Southampton expired 30th April 2027. In the event that the University is not re-awarded, there may be the need for services to be provided to the University of Southampton under this contract for up to 6-months of the 2-year extension period. The contract will be effective upon signing. The estimated value of the contract was between £600,000.00 and £1,000,000.00 excluding VAT. This was the maximum contract value for the full contract period including any extension periods. This value included all related services, but did not include fees paid by the University directly to venues.

Value

Amount
1,000,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Mandatory Requirements
Type
quality
Description
Pass/Fail
Criterion 2
Name
Highly Desirable Requirements
Type
quality
Description
30.00%
Criterion 3
Name
Desirable Requirements
Type
quality
Description
50.00%
Criterion 4
Name
Event Setup, Management & Resource Development and Production Costs
Type
cost
Description
20.00%

Contract period

Duration In Days
1,530

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery Location

Description
Events are to be held across the UK and will be agreed throughout the duration of the contract. For example, previous events have been held in London, Leeds and Leamington Spa.

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Entry 2
Region
UK

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-UKPRN-10007185
Name
University of Southampton

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKJ32
Locality
Southampton
Postal Code
SO171BJ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
University Road, Highfield

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
BODY_PUBLIC
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Body governed by public law
Entry 2
Id
09
Scheme
COFOG
Description
Education

Identifier

Id
10007185
Scheme
GB-UKPRN
Legal Name
University of Southampton

Contact

Name
Morgan Hughes
Telephone
+44 2380595000
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-8641
Name
University of Southampton

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
Southampton
Postal Code
SO17 1BJ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
University Road

Identifier

Legal Name
University of Southampton

Contact

Organisation 3
Id
GB-COH-07413801
Name
Clarity Travel Limited

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKD33
Locality
Manchester
Country Name
United Kingdom

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Id
07413801
Scheme
GB-COH
Legal Name
Clarity Travel Limited
Organisation 4
Id
GB-FTS-5788
Name
University of Southampton

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
Southampton
Country Name
United Kingdom

Identifier

Legal Name
University of Southampton

Award information

Award 1
Id
011984-2025-2023UoS-0816-1
Title
Hosted Events and Conferencing Services (NIHR)
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-COH-07413801
Name
Clarity Travel Limited

Related lots

1

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
011984-2025-2023UoS-0816-1
Title
Hosted Events and Conferencing Services (NIHR)
Status
active
Award ID
011984-2025-2023UoS-0816-1
Date Signed
3 Mar 2025, 00:00

Value

Amount
800,000
Currency
GBP

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Southampton · UKJ32 · SO171BJ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04a478-2025-03-31T12:11:47+01:00compiled ·