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An update on our campus services procurement process
Posted on behalf of: The Better Sussex Team
Last updated: Thursday, 21 November 2024

We have started work to implement a new hybrid model for the delivery of our campus facilities management. Some services will be brought in-house, where it makes sense to do so, while continuing to retain the benefits of contracted services through a joint venture.
We are bringing six service lines in-house, and there will be 10 outsourced service lines. This is from a current total of 21 service lines; smaller services have been rolled up into larger ones.
The transition to a new service provider will take place in summer 2025. Before this the University will be insourcing some services and making improvements to others; this process has already started. The first of the services to come in-house was the Space Information service line, which is now provided through the Space Management and Masterplanning team within the Estates Division.
The procurement exercise to find a partner for the joint venture is being conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, meaning any unauthorised disclosure of information could damage its integrity.
However, we can confirm that our incumbent partner Mitie has chosen not to continue with the bidding process. This is a commercial decision, and we are now continuing the procurement process as planned with the remaining bidders.
The terms and conditions of staff are an important element of the competitive tendering process.
This reshaping of our campus services is guided by our sector-leading values-based, ethical procurement process, which means we will seek service providers whose commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion and to environmental sustainability are congruent with our own institutional values.
If you have any questions or feedback, please email bettercampus@sussex.ac.uk