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Request for Information - External Digital Experience: CMS Discovery - 2026-3565-RFI-CMS Disc-DL-PST

University of Manchester

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Aug 2026 at 14:31

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Manchester is exploring a future content management system (CMS) for its External Digital Experience Programme. The work is expected to cover CMS options and implementation, content migration, governance, publishing workflows, structured content, accessibility, information architecture, search engine optimisation, internal search and the editor experience. The University also wants to understand operating models, delivery sequencing, risks, its own resourcing needs and cost drivers. Relevant integration topics include CRM hand-off for enquiries and forms, campaign-source tracking, consent capture, student journey data and future interoperability, but CRM procurement is outside this exercise. The primary work is software and information systems, alongside IT consultancy, software development, internet and support services. Delivery is associated with the University in Manchester, England.

This process is at the planning stage and is a request for information and early market engagement, not a tender or invitation to submit a bid. The University expects to use supplier responses to test its discovery assumptions, assess traditional, headless, hybrid, composable and digital-experience-platform-aligned CMS approaches, and inform a future business case, procurement strategy, specification and evaluation criteria. The planned engagement is expected to end on 11 September 2026. No contract award, contract period or procurement commitment is established by this exercise. The University has said that any subsequent route will be decided after the market exercise. Suppliers should treat the date as an indicative engagement milestone rather than a tender deadline or an immediate opportunity to bid.

This engagement will suit CMS vendors, digital transformation consultancies, implementation partners and systems integrators with experience of complex public-facing or higher-education web estates. Useful preparation includes evidence of selecting and delivering traditional, headless, hybrid, composable or DXP-aligned CMS platforms, together with migration planning, structured content models, governance, workflow design, accessibility, information architecture, SEO, internal search and editor-focused user experience. Suppliers able to explain operating models, delivery sequencing, implementation risks, client-side staffing and cost drivers should be well placed to contribute. Experience integrating CMS platforms with CRM and related systems is relevant where it supports forms, enquiries, consent, campaign tracking or student journeys, but standalone CRM capability is not the focus. The University identifies the work as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, as well as larger specialists.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information - External Digital Experience: CMS Discovery - 2026-3565-RFI-CMS Disc-DL-PST

Notice Description

The University is undertaking discovery work under the External Digital Experience (EDE) Programme. This RFI is intended to test the market before any formal procurement decision is made. It is not a tender and it does not commit the University to procure a solution or to follow a particular route. The purpose of this RFI is to gather supplier perspectives on a future Content Management System (CMS) and the implementation, migration, governance and operating model considerations that would support a more coherent external digital experience. The RFI is CMS-only. The University is not seeking CRM supplier proposals through this exercise. CRM should only be referenced where it relates to CMS integration, enquiry/form hand-off, campaign source tracking, consent capture, student journey data, or future interoperability. This RFI is intended to help the University: * understand credible CMS options available in the market, including traditional, headless, hybrid, composable or DXP-aligned approaches * test assumptions from CMS discovery, the EDE Strategy and the CMS Discovery Checklist * understand how suppliers would support content governance, structured content, publishing workflows, accessibility, IA, SEO, internal search, migration and editor experience * understand how a CMS could integrate with CRM and other systems without making CRM part of this RFI * obtain indicative views on delivery approach, sequencing, risks, University-side resourcing and cost drivers; * inform any subsequent CMS business case, procurement strategy, RFP/tender documentation and evaluation criteria. The University of Manchester 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 and/or any replacement legislation. As a result, the University of Manchester will no longer be subject to the regime contained in The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation with effect from 1 August 2023. However, as an institution founded for the public good, an exempt charity and an organization in receipt of public funds, the University has a duty to manage expenditure in an appropriate manner and aims to deliver value for money across its non-pay spend by adhering to good procurement practice. Information, formalities and necessary requirements to be met will be set out in the RFI document, all of which are freely available via the University's procurement portal In-Tend - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-fb1b83c9-f5be-4609-81ed-250738871cc9
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eaf2ff31-d5c1-419e-82f0-fd0c979f7e64
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Manchester
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M13 9PL
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Hulme
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Rusholme

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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