Notice Information
Notice Title
OpenAthens Authentication
Notice Description
OpenAthens Authentication for NHS Wales e-Library Users not based at a fixed location/IP address
Procurement Information
OpenAthens remains essential to ensuring continuous and secure access to NHS Wales e resources, a capability that has been in place since 2003 and remains fundamental to service delivery. The previous contract was due to expire on 30th June 2025, the awarded arrangement ensures there is no interruption to access or risk to operational continuity. OpenAthens is a trusted third party authentication solution that is already fully integrated within NHS Wales infrastructure and now works seamlessly with the Entra directory system. This integration continues to provide user friendly, efficient access by allowing staff to authenticate without repeated log ins when using authorised devices. Maintaining this level of accessibility after award is critical for supporting staff productivity and reducing technical barriers to resource use. The shift towards remote and flexible working across NHS Wales further reinforces the ongoing need for OpenAthens. Remote authentication capability is now a business critical function. Without OpenAthens, NHS Wales would lose the ability to support secure off site access to e Library resources, significantly affecting staff who rely on these tools for clinical decision making, training and daily operational tasks. Post award, reliance on alternative authentication methods particularly IP based access, would be inappropriate. IP authentication is outdated, insecure, and unable to verify user identity or support department specific access. Continuing to use OpenAthens ensures precise, auditable access control aligned with NHS Wales information governance and cyber security standards. Maintaining OpenAthens under the awarded contract therefore remains justified by the ongoing need for secure, flexible and remote access to NHS Wales digital resources. This supports both user security and the continuity of essential NHS Wales services.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-054826
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002803-2026
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK7 - Contract Details Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Direct
- Procurement Method Details
- Direct award
- Tender Suitability
- SME
- Awardee Scale
- SME
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
-
- CPV Codes
72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- £157,820 £100K-£500K
- Contracts Value
- £157,820 £100K-£500K
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 13 Jan 20261 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 13 Jun 20258 months ago
- Contract Period
- 22 Jul 2025 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Active
- Contracts Status
- Active
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- DIGITAL HEALTH & CARE WALES
- Contact Name
- Stacey Jones
- Contact Email
- stacey.jones10@wales.nhs.uk
- Contact Phone
- +442920502108
Buyer Location
- Locality
- CARDIFF
- Postcode
- CF11 9AD
- Post Town
- Cardiff
- Country
- Wales
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLL Wales
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLL5 South East Wales
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Cardiff
- Electoral Ward
- Riverside
- Westminster Constituency
- Cardiff West
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002803-2026
13th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038847-2025
10th July 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032121-2025
13th June 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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