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GB-Maidstone: Preliminary Market Engagement via GCA Framework - Brief Project Portfolio Management Solution

Kent & Medway Town Fire Authority

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderAmendment

24 Sep 2026 at 16:50

Tender Notice
Tender

18 Sep 2026 at 10:30

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is exploring a project portfolio management (PPM) solution to plan, manage, oversee and report on projects and programmes across the organisation. The requirement covers software and associated services, with options including established Software as a Service products and Microsoft or Power Platform-based solutions. The authority is looking for solutions available through an existing Government Commercial Agency framework, and wants suppliers to identify the relevant framework, lot and service or solution listing. The solution would support the fire and rescue service’s organisation-wide project and programme management. The buyer is Kent & Medway Town Fire Authority, based in Maidstone, and the stated delivery area is South East England.

The buyer invited suppliers to provide a brief response through preliminary market engagement, rather than issuing a competitive tender or invitation to tender. The engagement is intended to inform the authority’s procurement strategy and route to market; responses are not tender submissions and will not be scored. The stated estimated value is £50,000 to £100,000. The proposed contract period runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. The response deadline is 1 October 2026 at 00:00. The authority seeks high-level information on solution fit, delivery models, affordability and costs, data control and portability, and the framework route through which the solution can be procured. It also welcomes feedback on its requirements.

This opportunity is suited to suppliers with an established PPM software product or service that can be procured through an existing Government Commercial Agency framework. Relevant offerings may be SaaS or based on Microsoft or the Power Platform. Suppliers should be able to explain how their solution supports planning, management, oversight and reporting across projects and programmes, and how responsibilities would be divided between supplier and authority. A concise account of functional and technical fit, licensing or subscription costs, implementation, support and ongoing configuration or development would help the authority assess suitability. Suppliers should also be prepared to describe how customers retain control of and can transfer organisational data. The authority says the opportunity may suit SMEs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

GB-Maidstone: Preliminary Market Engagement via GCA Framework - Brief Project Portfolio Management Solution

Notice Description

NOTE: This notice was updated on 24 September 2026 for the following reason: Addition of Access Code in Other Information(Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is exploring options for a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) solution to support the planning, management, oversight and reporting of projects and programmes across the organisation. KFRS is open to different solution and delivery models, including established Software as a Service (SaaS) products and Microsoft/Power Platform-based solutions. Please note: For the purposes of this market engagement, KFRS is only seeking responses in respect of solutions which are currently available for procurement through an existing Government Commercial Agency (GCA) framework (formerly CCS). Suppliers should identify the relevant framework, Lot (where applicable) and service/solution listing within their response. The purpose of this exercise is to undertake a short and proportionate test of the market before KFRS determines its procurement strategy and route to market. In particular, KFRS wishes to understand: *what potentially suitable solutions are available within or around the stated affordability envelope; *the broad alignment of available products with KFRS's functional and technical requirements; *the different solution and service models available and the respective responsibilities of KFRS and the supplier; *indicative licensing/subscription, implementation, support and ongoing configuration/development costs; *the extent to which solutions allow KFRS to retain appropriate control and portability of its organisational data; *any observations from the market which may help KFRS refine its requirements; and *the specific GCA/CCS framework, Lot and/or service listing through which the proposed solution can be procured. Nature of this Exercise This is a preliminary market engagement exercise and not a competitive procurement or invitation to tender. The functional and technical requirements provided with this brief represent KFRS's current understanding of its needs. They are being provided to give suppliers sufficient information to determine whether they have a product or solution that could potentially meet the requirement. Suppliers are not required to provide a detailed response against each individual requirement or complete the requirements schedules on a line-by-line basis. Responses will not be evaluated or scored as tender submissions. Instead, KFRS is seeking a brief, high-level response that will enable us to understand whether a proposed solution appears sufficiently aligned with our needs to warrant further exploration. KFRS would also welcome constructive feedback on the requirements themselves. This may include identifying areas which would benefit from clarification, or alternative approaches or current market capabilities which KFRS should consider. Please respond via the Kent Business Portal.) Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2b56fb66-9966-467d-a792-2cf835ce49e0
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efa962fe-40cc-404e-bd00-56e59c7e0f70
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 Oct 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Kent & Medway Town Fire Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
Not specified
Postcode Area
Not specified
Country
Not specified
Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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