Award

Virtual Learning Environment

CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

28 Oct 2024 at 14:03

Summary of the contracting process

Canterbury Christ Church University has completed a procurement process to re-contract the provision of its virtual learning environment, Blackboard. Classified under the educational software package industry category (CPV: 48190000), the procurement was conducted using a limited method whereby the university negotiated directly without publishing a contract notice. The main delivery location for this contract is Canterbury, Kent (region UKJ), and it is governed by public law under the legal basis CELEX 32014L0024. The contract, valued at £1,886,121, was awarded to Blackboard International B.V. on 22 October 2024, and will run for five years. The procurement rationale highlighted the technical necessity to remain with Blackboard due to resource constraints and high costs associated with transitioning to a new system.

This tender presents significant business opportunities for companies that specialise in providing educational technology solutions, particularly those offering robust virtual learning environments. Given the high value and extended duration of the contract, suppliers capable of demonstrating technical expertise and reliability in managing large-scale educational software systems are well-positioned to compete in such tenders. Businesses that can offer innovative solutions with low transition costs and minimal implementation periods would be particularly advantageous given the university's prioritisation of stability and resource management. Additionally, this contract exemplifies the importance of building long-term relationships with public sector organisations, ensuring consistent service quality and support.

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Notice Title

Virtual Learning Environment

Notice Description

This contract is for the provision of the University's virtual learning environment.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This contract is for the provision of a virtual learning environment for all CCCU students.

Procurement Information

The University has used the Blackboard virtual learning environment for many years. The current contract is due to expire but the University does not have the resource to undertake the implementation of a new system due to several existing, business critical IT projects. Blackboard is considered to be a stable platform and therefore is a low priority for limited IT resource. That resource has instead been directed to other vital IT systems which are considered to be a higher priority. The cost of change for a VLE would also be very high given the impact on 12,000+ students and c.1000 members of staff. In addition, a 12 month+ implementation period with considerable consultancy cost. For these reasons the University has decided to re-contract for a further five years with Anthology for the provision of the Blackboard system.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034864-2024
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated without publication of a contract notice
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48190000 - Educational software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,886,121 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Oct 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Oct 20241 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Robin Higgins
Contact Email
robin.higgins@canterbury.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1227782792

Buyer Location

Locality
CANTERBURY
Postcode
CT1 1QU
Post Town
Canterbury
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ44 East Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)

Local Authority
Canterbury
Electoral Ward
Barton
Westminster Constituency
Canterbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BLACKBOARD INTERNATIONAL

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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