Tender

002759 - Choice Based Lettings (CBL), Housing Register and Homelessness System

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

17 Apr 2026 at 09:33

Tender

09 Mar 2026 at 08:43

Planning

26 Jun 2025 at 14:05

Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is seeking a comprehensive solution for the Choice-Based Lettings (CBL) system, used to manage social rented homes across the county. This procurement falls under the industry category of 'Industry specific software package' and is taking place in the region of UKC14, United Kingdom. Tender submissions must be made via the Open Portal and are due by 22nd April 2026, following an extension granted due to clarifications. The council plans to implement the new system by 1st December 2026, with a contract period commencing on 15th June 2026 and potentially extending beyond its initial three-year term. The procurement process is in the tender stage through an open procedure, with a contract gross value estimated at £720,000.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses in the software and information systems domain, specifically those experienced in developing solutions for housing management and choice-based lettings. With partners managing around 40,000 homes collaboratively, the scope for business growth is substantial, particularly for firms specialising in system architecture, product development, and ongoing system support. Companies capable of delivering quality training and knowledge transfer, hypercare support, and system demonstrations will find this project aligns with their expertise, opening doors for partnerships and enhancing credibility within the public sector. Pricing strategy will play a pivotal role, with pre-defined weightings for various components, ensuring competitive and sustainable business models are emphasised.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

002759 - Choice Based Lettings (CBL), Housing Register and Homelessness System

Notice Description

The purpose of this project is to procure a comprehensive solution to support the operation and management of Durham Key Options, the Choice-Based Lettings (CBL) scheme used to advertise and allocate social rented homes across the county. The scheme enables properties from the local authority housing register and a range of partner landlords to be let transparently and efficiently. Collectively, partners within the scheme manage approximately 40,000 homes. The Contract period is for an initial 3-year period, with the option to extend for a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance, service continuity, and the Council's future requirements. The anticipated go-live date for the new system is 1st December 2026, following a period of mobilisation and implementation. Tender documents can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at www.open-uk.org

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contract period is for an initial 3-year period, with the option to extend for a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance, service continuity, and the Council's future requirements. The anticipated go-live date for the new system is 1st December 2026, following a period of mobilisation and implementation.

Planning Information

PME questionnaire can be accessed, free of charge, by registering on open-uk.org This document provides an overview of the requirements and a summary of soft market testing completed in 2021. Bidders are able to provide responses to 7 questions as part of this PME opportunity.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055453
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035034-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
18 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Jun 2026 - 14 Jun 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Post Town
Durham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham

Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-055453-2026-04-17T10:33:35+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-17T10:33:35+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-055453",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PMPB-8772-VYWM",
            "name": "Durham County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PMPB-8772-VYWM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Corten House, Dunholme Close",
                "locality": "Durham",
                "postalCode": "DH1 5WB",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKC14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "zoe.embleton@durham.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.durham.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PMPB-8772-VYWM",
        "name": "Durham County Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "PME questionnaire can be accessed, free of charge, by registering on open-uk.org This document provides an overview of the requirements and a summary of soft market testing completed in 2021. Bidders are able to provide responses to 7 questions as part of this PME opportunity.",
                "dueDate": "2025-07-18T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "035468-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035468-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-26T15:05:12+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "OPEN2026420",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "002759 - Choice Based Lettings (CBL), Housing Register and Homelessness System",
        "description": "The purpose of this project is to procure a comprehensive solution to support the operation and management of Durham Key Options, the Choice-Based Lettings (CBL) scheme used to advertise and allocate social rented homes across the county. The scheme enables properties from the local authority housing register and a range of partner landlords to be let transparently and efficiently. Collectively, partners within the scheme manage approximately 40,000 homes. The Contract period is for an initial 3-year period, with the option to extend for a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance, service continuity, and the Council's future requirements. The anticipated go-live date for the new system is 1st December 2026, following a period of mobilisation and implementation. Tender documents can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at www.open-uk.org",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48100000",
                        "description": "Industry specific software package"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKC14",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKC14",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKC14",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 720000,
            "amount": 600000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-06-15T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-06-14T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2032-06-14T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 720000,
                    "amount": 600000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "System Architecture Diagram",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Statement of Works",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Product Roadmap and Development",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Training and Knowledge Transfer",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Hypercare and Post Hypercare Support",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "System Demonstration",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 15,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Desirable System Functionality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Pricing Schedule",
                            "description": "* Element 1 - Fixed Price Implementation services - Weighting 12% * Element 2 - Ongoing annual subscription (e.g., subscription, support, hosting, maintenance)- Weighting 12% * Element 3 - Rate Card for additional professional services - Weighting 6% * Element 4 - Desirable System Functionality - Price Weighting 5%",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 35,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "System Architecture Diagram",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Statement of Works",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Product Roadmap and Development",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Training and Knowledge Transfer",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Hypercare and Post Hypercare Support",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "System Demonstration",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 15,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Desirable System Functionality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Pricing Schedule",
                            "description": "* Element 1 - Fixed Price Implementation services - Weighting 12% * Element 2 - Ongoing annual subscription (e.g., subscription, support, hosting, maintenance)- Weighting 12% * Element 3 - Rate Card for additional professional services - Weighting 6% * Element 4 - Desirable System Functionality - Price Weighting 5%",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 35,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The Contract period is for an initial 3-year period, with the option to extend for a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance, service continuity, and the Council's future requirements. The anticipated go-live date for the new system is 1st December 2026, following a period of mobilisation and implementation."
                }
            }
        ],
        "status": "active",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Tender submissions must be made via the Open Portal at www.open-uk.org",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-22T15:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-15T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-05-19T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Full tender documents can be access free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at www.open-uk.org",
                "url": "www.open-uk.org"
            },
            {
                "id": "020692-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020692-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-09T08:43:13Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "035034-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035034-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-17T10:33:35+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "035034-2026",
                "description": "Short extension to tender submission deadline, due to clarification questions and amendments to T&Cs."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}