Planning

Communication Channel System/RFI/PRO/2026

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

01 Apr 2026 at 15:58

Planning

12 May 2025 at 15:23

Summary of the contracting process

The Open University, as the contracting authority, is in the Planning stage of a public procurement process for a Communication Channel System under the tender ID OUPA11459. Located in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, this initiative aims to gather information on the market, potential suppliers, and solutions for goods in the software package and information systems industry category, focusing on communication and multimedia software packages. The procurement process initiated as a tender will be setting significant milestones with immediate actions needed by suppliers, as evidenced by the milestone set for engagement due by 1st April 2026. Although the contract period is planned for 2028–2038, this preliminary stage involving a Request for Information (RFI) document pack offers businesses a strategic entry point.

This procurement presents growth opportunities for businesses specialising in software packages and information systems, particularly those capable of providing communication and multimedia solutions. The Open University's market engagement initiative signifies its openness to varied supplier solutions, heralding business expansion possibilities within the public sector. Companies with robust offerings in customer service, call centre software, or multimedia communications are exceptionally well-suited to compete, leveraging technological advancements to meet the tender requirements. Engaging at this stage may preclude future partnership opportunities in subsequent years, aligning with the planned contract period from January 2027 to January 2037.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Communication Channel System/RFI/PRO/2026

Notice Description

Preliminary Market Engagement: Request for Information to gather information on the market, potential suppliers and solutions.

Planning Information

Suppliers are invited to submit information to help the OU information on the market, potential suppliers and solutions. The RFI document pack is available via the OU In-Tend Procurement Portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity/aspx/Home

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051150
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030593-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48500000 - Communication and multimedia software package

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2028 - 31 Jul 2038 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

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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