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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Business Travel Management Services 2025

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 20:44.

Opportunity overview

The University requires a Travel Management Company (TMC) that is able to facilitate the travel booking needs for a large and diverse range of stakeholders, including but not limited to Air Travel, Rail Travel and Accommodation Booking, for Domestic and International travel requirements. The University requires a TMC with the provision to provide these services both online through a booking platform and smartphone based app, and offline through a UK based call-centre type model. The University has used the services of a TMC since October 2017. As the current TMC contract is ending in October 2025, the University is now seeking to re-contract for this service for up to a further 7 years.

Classification

  • CPV63516000 — Travel management services
  • CPV63510000 — Travel agency and similar services

Lots

  • The University requires a Travel Management Company (TMC) that is able to facilitate the travel booking needs for a large and diverse range of stakeholders, including but not limited to Air Travel, Rail Travel and Accommodation Booking, for Domestic and International travel requirements. The University requires a TMC with the provision to provide these services both online through a booking platform and smartphone based app, and offline through a UK based call-centre type model. The University has used the services of a TMC since October 2017. As the current TMC contract is ending in October 2025, the University is now seeking to re-contract for this service for up to a further 7 years. The University is conducting this procurement using a single-stage procedure for the purpose of procuring the services described in the Specification. The University proposes to enter into a Contract for up to 7-years and 4-months with the successful Supplier. This will comprise of an initial contract period of 4-months for the implementation of the service, followed by an initial term of 4-years, with two optional extensions of a further 18-months per extension. The estimated value of the proposal is between £24,000,000.00 and £42,000,000.00 The estimated value of the initial 4-year contract term is in the region of £24,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the first 18-month extension period is £9,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the second 18-month extension period is £9,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). It is estimated, therefore, that the total value of this contract will be between £24,000,000.00 and £42,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). Details of current expenditure or potential future uptake are given as a guide base on past purchasing and current planning to assist you in the preparation of your Tender. They should not be interpreted as an undertaking to purchase any goods or services to any particular value and do not form part of the Contract. PLEASE NOTE: The University of Southampton no longer meets the criteria of a 'body governed by public law' and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and/or any replacement legislation. This procurement process is not regulated by UK (or EU) public procurement law. Where the University advertises contracts, through any public sector tender portal, it does so on a voluntary basis by way of transparency and to encourage open competition, but it is not required to comply with the procurement legislation. For the purpose of procuring the services described, the University is acting in accordance with its internal Financial Regulations and the procured detailed in the Invitation to Tender document set. Nothing which is done during the procurement process (including the publication of the contract notice and use of terminology which may be defined by the PCR 2015) should be taken to imply that the University is voluntarily complying with the PCR 2015 or intends to do so. Some of the stages, documentation and terminology adopted in the University's procurement process may have similarities to ones regulated by and defined under the PCR 2015, but they will not be regulated by the PCR 2015 during this process and should not be taken as references to those things as defined by the PCR 2015. Interested parties are invited to express their interest and submit their proposals in accordance with the instructions provided in the Invitation to Tender documentation. The University aims to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive procurement process to select the most suitable partner for this significant project. Additional information: This contract is NOT suitable for splitting into lots. The risk of dividing the requirement into Lots would render the execution of the contract excessively technically difficult, not cost effective and would undermine proper execution of the contract.£42m

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-1138
Status
active
Has Recurrence
No
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Bid Opening

Date
24 Feb 2025, 12:01

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Expected award period

Starts
24 Feb 2025, 12:01

Tender Period

Ends
24 Feb 2025, 12:00

Contract terms

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

Classification

Id
63516000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Travel management services

Submission terms

Languages

en

Bid Validity Period

Duration In Days
180

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 or performance bonds 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. Public Liability: £5 Million GBP. Professional Indemnity: £5 Million GBP. Cyber Liability: £2.5 Million GBP.
Criterion 3
Type
technical
Description
Tenderers attention is drawn to the MANDATORY requirements of the award criteria: Grounds for mandatory exclusion - Mandatory qualitative requirements 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 6.1.4, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.4, 7.1.5, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 9.1, 10.1.1, 10.1.2, 10.1.3, 10.1.4, 11.1.1, 11.1.2, 12.1.1 to 12.1.9, 12.1.12, 13.1, 14.1, 15.1, 16.1.1, 16.1.2, 17.1, 18.1, 19.1, 20.1, 21.1, 22.1, 23.1, 24.1.1 + 24.1.2, 24.1.3, 24.1.4, 24.1.5, 24.1.6 + 24.1.7, 25.1, 26.1.1, 26.1.2, 27.1, 28.1, 29.1, 30.1, 31.1, 32.1, 33.1, 24.1, 25.1, 36.1, 37.1, 38.1.1 to 38.1.9, and M-NFR-1 to M-NFR-19. - Failure to meet the minimum required score for Highly Desirable IT Non-Functional requirements H-NFR-1 to H-NFR-22 - Failure to provide access to the proposed booking system for usability testing Ground for discretionary exclusion - Economic & Financial Standing - Insurance - Compliance with equality legislation - Legal requirements

Applies To

supplier

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
No
Description
The University requires a Travel Management Company (TMC) that is able to facilitate the travel booking needs for a large and diverse range of stakeholders, including but not limited to Air Travel, Rail Travel and Accommodation Booking, for Domestic and International travel requirements. The University requires a TMC with the provision to provide these services both online through a booking platform and smartphone based app, and offline through a UK based call-centre type model. The University has used the services of a TMC since October 2017. As the current TMC contract is ending in October 2025, the University is now seeking to re-contract for this service for up to a further 7 years. The University is conducting this procurement using a single-stage procedure for the purpose of procuring the services described in the Specification. The University proposes to enter into a Contract for up to 7-years and 4-months with the successful Supplier. This will comprise of an initial contract period of 4-months for the implementation of the service, followed by an initial term of 4-years, with two optional extensions of a further 18-months per extension. The estimated value of the proposal is between £24,000,000.00 and £42,000,000.00 The estimated value of the initial 4-year contract term is in the region of £24,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the first 18-month extension period is £9,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the second 18-month extension period is £9,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). It is estimated, therefore, that the total value of this contract will be between £24,000,000.00 and £42,000,000.00 GBP (excluding VAT). Details of current expenditure or potential future uptake are given as a guide base on past purchasing and current planning to assist you in the preparation of your Tender. They should not be interpreted as an undertaking to purchase any goods or services to any particular value and do not form part of the Contract. PLEASE NOTE: The University of Southampton no longer meets the criteria of a 'body governed by public law' and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and/or any replacement legislation. This procurement process is not regulated by UK (or EU) public procurement law. Where the University advertises contracts, through any public sector tender portal, it does so on a voluntary basis by way of transparency and to encourage open competition, but it is not required to comply with the procurement legislation. For the purpose of procuring the services described, the University is acting in accordance with its internal Financial Regulations and the procured detailed in the Invitation to Tender document set. Nothing which is done during the procurement process (including the publication of the contract notice and use of terminology which may be defined by the PCR 2015) should be taken to imply that the University is voluntarily complying with the PCR 2015 or intends to do so. Some of the stages, documentation and terminology adopted in the University's procurement process may have similarities to ones regulated by and defined under the PCR 2015, but they will not be regulated by the PCR 2015 during this process and should not be taken as references to those things as defined by the PCR 2015. Interested parties are invited to express their interest and submit their proposals in accordance with the instructions provided in the Invitation to Tender documentation. The University aims to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive procurement process to select the most suitable partner for this significant project. Additional information: This contract is NOT suitable for splitting into lots. The risk of dividing the requirement into Lots would render the execution of the contract excessively technically difficult, not cost effective and would undermine proper execution of the contract.

Value

Amount
42,000,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Mandatory Service Requirements
Type
quality
Description
Pass/Fail
Criterion 2
Name
Mandatory IT Non-Functional Requirements
Type
quality
Description
Pass/Fail
Criterion 3
Name
Highly Desirable IT Non-Functional Requirements
Type
quality
Description
2.50%
Criterion 4
Name
Desirable Service Requirements
Type
quality
Description
47.50%
Criterion 5
Name
Usability Testing Requirements - Complex
Type
quality
Description
10.00%
Criterion 6
Name
Usability Testing Requirements - Non-Complex
Type
quality
Description
10.00%
Criterion 7
Name
Usability Testing Requirements - Accessibility
Type
quality
Description
5.00%
Criterion 8
Name
Transaction Fees
Type
cost
Description
20.00%
Criterion 9
Name
Account Management Fees
Type
cost
Description
2.50%
Criterion 10
Name
Reporting and MI Fees
Type
cost
Description
1.25%
Criterion 11
Name
Implementation Fees
Type
cost
Description
1.25%

Contract period

Duration In Days
2,640

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKJ32

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
63510000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Travel agency and similar services

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-UKPRN-10007158
Name
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKJ32
Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postal Code
SO171BJ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
BUILDING 37, HIGHFIELD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY ROAD

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Higher Education Institution not subject to PCR 2015 Regulations.
Entry 2
Id
09
Scheme
COFOG
Description
Education

Identifier

Id
10007158
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

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · SOUTHAMPTON · UKJ32 · SO171BJ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ32

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04cf83-2025-01-13T13:15:19Zcompiled ·