Award

Research Ethics System

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

08 Apr 2025 at 09:49

Award

10 Mar 2025 at 17:33

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Kent has awarded a contract for a "Research Ethics System" to WORKTRIBE LTD. The procurement process, which falls under the industry categories of software packages and information systems, and research services, was completed through a direct award method. This system aims to automate and standardise the research ethics process, enhancing transparency, reducing financial, legal, and reputational risks, and positively impacting staff and student satisfaction. The contract, valued at £181,421 (excluding VAT), begins on 19th April 2025 and ends on 31st March 2030, with delivery taking place in the Canterbury area. The award notice was issued on 8th April 2025, and the formal contract signing is scheduled for 18th April 2025, following a standstill period ending on 17th April 2025.

This tender creates growth opportunities, particularly for companies already integrated into the university's existing systems, like software providers and IT service firms. Businesses that specialise in research services and software development would be well-positioned to compete due to their technical expertise and capability to innovate in research ethics automation and standardisation. Given the need for system integration with existing platforms such as Staff Connect and UBW, suppliers with an established presence and compatibility in the education sector stand to benefit significantly from similar procurement opportunities in the future.

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Notice Title

Research Ethics System

Notice Description

A system to support automation and standardisation of the research ethics process is urgently required. This will reduce burden on Professional Service staff with positive impacts on staff and student satisfaction. A system will also increase transparency and central oversight which will reduce financial, legal and reputational risks. Contract value PS181,421 exc VAT

Procurement Information

The public contract concerns the supply of goods, services or works by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods, services or works in circumstances where- (a)a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods, services or works that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods, services or works, and (b)the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. Worktribe is already in use and therefore already integrated with key systems such as Staff Connect and UBW which will significantly reduce implementation costs. Ongoing maintenance costs in the form of staff time will also be minimised by consolidating systems. Ethics details can be linked to information on funded projects stored in the pre-award module.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04eb3e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013573-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£181,421 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Mar 202511 months ago
Contract Period
18 Apr 2025 - 31 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@kent.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CANTERBURY
Postcode
CT2 7NZ
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
Not specified

Local Authority
Canterbury
Electoral Ward
Blean Forest
Westminster Constituency
Canterbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WORKTRIBE

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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