Award

EDIS-23-002 Unified Customer Experience for EA Admissions, Transport, SEN and Free School Meals

THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

18 Feb 2025 at 15:58

Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority has completed a procurement process for the "EDIS-23-002 Unified Customer Experience for EA Admissions, Transport, SEN, and Free School Meals" project, targeted at enhancing their software package and information systems. This procurement, classified under CPV code 48000000, falls within the goods category and was conducted via a mini competition through the CCS Framework Digital Outcomes 6 Lot 1. The contract, initially set for the period from 4 September 2023 to 3 September 2025, includes an option for a further 12-month extension. Essential dates to note include the contract modification published on 18 February 2025, reflecting an increase in contract value by £625,000, bringing the new total to £2,500,000. The buyer is based in Belfast, UK, and the procurement method employed was limited, indicating a direct award without prior publication of a call for competition.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in software development and information systems, particularly those capable of supporting educational authorities. The project aims to improve customer experience for admissions, transport, special educational needs (SEN), and free school meals, thus requiring firms with expertise in these domains. Companies with strong technical competence, cultural fit, and a commitment to social value, in addition to competitive pricing, are well-positioned to benefit from this contract. The procurement, awarded to Version 1 Solutions Ltd., underscores the necessity for suppliers who can ensure technical compatibility and cost efficiency in further developing and maintaining the existing systems. This presents a valuable opportunity for businesses seeking to expand their footprint in public sector education technology projects.

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Notice Title

EDIS-23-002 Unified Customer Experience for EA Admissions, Transport, SEN and Free School Meals

Notice Description

The Education Authority carried out a procurement to further develop the Unified Customer Experience for EA Admissions, Transport, SEN and Free School Meals for the period 4 September 2023 - 3 September 2025 with the option of a further 12 months extension). This was a mini competition via CCS Framework Digital Outcomes 6 Lot 1.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Education Authority carried out a procurement to further develop the Unified Customer Experience for EA Admissions, Transport, SEN and Free School Meals for the period 4 September 2023 - 3 September 2025 (with the option of a further 12 months extension). This was a mini competition via CCS Framework Digital Outcomes 6 Lot 1.

Options: Option of a further 12 month extension.

Procurement Information

This is not an award without without prior notice, the purpose of this VEAT notice is to make the market aware that EA intent to modify this contract as detailed below. This opportunity was originally awarded as a call-off contract following a further competition under Crown Commercial Services Digital Outcomes 6 Framework Lot 1. In October 2024 the contract value was increased by 50% of the original awarded contract value under published VEAT 2024/S 000-030912 and subsequent modification notice 2025/S 000-004627. EA now intend to further modify the contract value to increase by PS625,000 i.e. 50% of the original awarded contract value. The new total contract value will be PS2,500,000. No aspect of the modification will alter the overall nature of the current contract as the scope of services will remain unaltered and any expenditure will not be permitted to exceed 50% of the original awarded contract value. For technical reasons a change in supplier is not possible at this stage. The services must continue to be technically compatible with what has already been developed by the Contractor under this contract and to contract with a different supplier at this stage would result in significant risk to current development timeframes as well as the substantial duplication of costs which would be incurred to procure replacement services. Regulation 72(1)(b) permits an amendment to an existing contract: for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor (i) cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement, or (ii) would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the contracting authority, provided that any increase in price does not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract. The EA shall observe a period of no less than 10 days, beginning with the day after the date of publication, before modifying the contract as set out in this notice.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e37a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005665-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Feb 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Aug 20232 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
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
laura.magee@eani.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT1 2NQ
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Duncairn
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VERSION 1 SOLUTIONS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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