Staff Engagement Surveys
Framework Description
Staff Engagement Surveys is an APUC framework for universities and colleges that need to measure and act on staff engagement. It has two lots: a self-serve, software-led option and a project-managed service from a research house. Applications for this framework are closed (it is not a DPS), and it ends on 21 August 2027 with no extension option, so a re-tender should follow.
Context & Use Case
HR and organisational development teams use it to run institution-wide engagement surveys. An institution with in-house analysis capacity might choose the self-serve tool, while one wanting an external partner to design the survey, run it and report back would use the research house lot. Buying through APUC saves a separate tender for what is usually a recurring exercise.
Scope of Services
Self-Serve (Software-Led) staff engagement surveys Project-managed (Research House) staff engagement surveys Survey design, data collection and analysis Reporting to support action planning
Lots
Self-Serve (Software-Led); Project-managed (Research House)
Who Can Apply
Suppliers cannot join now; APUC appointed survey platforms and research houses through tender. With the framework ending on 21 August 2027 and no extension, engagement survey software providers and HR research firms should prepare for the re-tender and pick the lot that matches how they deliver.
Buyer Benefits
Universities need survey results they can compare year on year and trust enough to act on. The two-lot split lets them match cost to need, choosing a lower-cost software tool or a fully managed research service, and APUC's tender has already tested supplier capability.
Next Steps
Read the APUC notice on Public Contracts Scotland (SEP488800). Incumbents should use call-offs before August 2027 to gather higher education references. Others should prepare for the re-tender around that date: decide between the self-serve and research house lots, and assemble evidence on response rates, data security and how results lead to action.
How Athena Can Help
The two lots reward different strengths, so the first decision is where you fit. Athena's bid/no-bid reviews help you choose between the software-led and research house lots, and our framework application team prepares the selection answers, case studies and data protection policies ahead of APUC's 2027 re-tender.
Our bid managers and writers then build win themes and a priced-to-win response for the lot you choose. That includes a compliance check before submission.
