- Campus
- 22/05/2026
TU/e launches new tender for reception and security services
TU/e has launched a new tender this week for reception and security staff. The previous tender, in 2024, caused considerable commotion when several long-serving receptionists had to leave abruptly. “That communication process really needed to change,” says Margot Wolfert-Boesveld of Campus & Facilities.
As a public institution, TU/e is required to periodically retender major service contracts. For that reason, a new tender has now been opened for the provision of reception and security staff on campus.
Two years ago, the previous tender led to significant unrest on campus. The former reception services provider, Sparq, lost the contract to newcomer Spirit. The 28 receptionists employed by Sparq were informed two months in advance that they would have to leave TU/e.
“That communication process really needed to change, so we have paid a lot of attention to that this time,” says Margot Wolfert-Boesveld, communications advisor at Campus & Facilities. According to Wolfert, the situation prompted the university to reassess and adjust its information provision and transparency on several points. “We want to make sure those involved know well in advance what is happening and what they can expect.”
Communication
“The preparations for this new tender have actually been ongoing for almost a year now,” Wolfert says. During that period, TU/e evaluated the current situation and gathered input from the TU/e community. As a result, more emphasis has been placed on safety and security. A market analysis of potential providers was also carried out.
According to Wolfert, the biggest differences compared to the previous tender lie in the planning and communication. “During the last tender, receptionists only heard two months in advance that they would lose their jobs,” she says. “Now we have made sure the process has much more room. The tender is already open now, in May, while the current contract with the supplier runs until the end of December.”
She also says more attention has been given to communication with the employees involved and the rest of the university community in order to keep them informed throughout the process. “Not everyone knows how a market consultation leading up to a tender works, so it is important to properly inform people about that.”
In addition, TU/e is keeping the community updated through a dedicated intranet page with information about the process, the reasons behind the tender, and the requirements for a new provider. “We want to properly inform people about how the process works. That way they better understand why certain choices are made and where they can go with questions.”
Reception and security
Unlike previous tenders, this procurement process concerns not only reception services but also security. According to TU/e, it is organizationally more practical to place both services with one provider.
There is also a growing need for overlap between the two roles. “The tender concerns three functions: receptionists, security guards, and security hosts,” Wolfert explains. “A security host performs tasks that fall somewhere between those of a receptionist and a security guard.” That role does not currently exist at TU/e, but with the increasing emphasis on safety and security, there is now demand for it.
1 January
The winner of the tender will take over the provision of hired reception and security staff from 1 January 2027 onward. Receptionists and security staff directly employed by the university will not be affected.
It is possible that the current provider, Spirit, could win the tender again if the company decides to participate. Although Spirit itself does not provide security guards, it can collaborate with other providers that do for this tender.
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