Planning

Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract

COTTSWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

14 Jul 2025 at 13:10

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cottsway Housing Association Limited, a public authority sub-central government organisation located in Witney, UK, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for software development and data services. The organisation has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential suppliers capable of providing these services via a service-based contract. The tender focuses on the services category, specifically software programming and consultancy, as well as data services. Interested parties should be aware of the upcoming deadline for submission, set for 31 July 2025. The contract is valued at approximately £100,000 gross, with the anticipated service period commencing on 1 September 2025 and extending for two years, with potential renewal options.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in software development and data management services, particularly those with experience in delivering flexible and cost-effective solutions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may find this opportunity particularly appealing, given the organisation's openness to such entities, as indicated in the procurement documents. Suppliers who can provide comprehensive solutions for development, data warehousing, and analytics support are well-suited to compete. Clear advantages exist for businesses with the capability to offer innovative service models, manage data effectively, and engage in business process improvements through digital tools and automation. The focus on a lightweight response at this stage allows potential contractors to showcase their strategic approach and pricing models without the need for full proposals or detailed service level agreements.

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

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract

Notice Description

Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract Summary Cottsway is seeking information from organisations capable of providing software development and data services through a service-based contract. This follows an internal review of resourcing options and a decision to explore external delivery models in place of direct recruitment. This RFI is intended to understand the market's ability to support the following areas through a flexible, cost-effective service arrangement. It is not a call for competition, and responses will inform our future procurement approach. Scope of Services We are seeking suppliers who can support both development and data-related activities, including but not limited to: Software Development Services * Development of business tools and automations (e.g. using Python, JavaScript) * Business process improvements and systems integration (e.g. via APIs) * Support and enhancement of existing applications and digital platforms Data and Reporting Services * Development of SQL queries and reporting solutions * Management and structuring of data for self-service access * Data warehousing, ETL processes, and analytics support * Use of tools and methods to enable data quality monitoring, smart reporting, and AI/ML-powered insights Information Requested Suppliers are invited to provide the following details in response to this RFI: * Overview of Your Organisation and Relevant Experience: o Brief introduction to your organisation and relevant experience in delivering both development and data services * Service Model and Delivery Approach: o The type of contract models you offer (e.g. ticket-based support, fixed hours per month, annual retainer, etc.) o Your ability to support a 24-month service contract o How you typically manage incoming work requests and prioritise delivery * Service Objectives and Quality: o What service levels or delivery expectations you typically work to o An outline of how you usually manage service objectives, turnaround times, and overall quality assurance (rather than full SLAs) * Pricing Approach: o Indicative cost structures or typical pricing models for similar arrangements (e.g. monthly fees, bundled hours, on-demand rates) o An indication of pricing based on the above details. Response Guidelines We are looking for a light-touch response at this stage. Please provide a short overview based on the points above, outlining how you typically deliver these services and the structure you would propose for a two-year arrangement. At this stage, there will be no requirement to interview, we are just looking for a brief proposal based on the requirements set out above. There is no need to submit full proposals or detailed SLAs at this stage. Budget Our budget is around PS50,000 Per Year. Timeline Please submit your response by 31/07/2025 @ 14:00 Contact and Submission Responses and clarifications should be submitted via the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/LoginHelp.

Planning Information

We are looking for a light-touch response at this stage. Please provide a short overview based on the points above, outlining how you typically deliver these services and the structure you would propose for a two-year arrangement. At this stage, there will be no requirement to interview, we are just looking for a brief proposal based on the requirements set out above. There is no need to submit full proposals or detailed SLAs at this stage. Contact and Submission Responses and clarifications should be submitted via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/ProjectManage/138.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039649-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

72300000 - Data services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
COTTSWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
cottswayprocurement@cottsway.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WITNEY
Postcode
OX28 4YG
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
West Oxfordshire
Electoral Ward
Witney South
Westminster Constituency
Witney

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-055ea3-2025-07-14T14:10:34+01:00",
    "date": "2025-07-14T14:10:34+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-RS030651",
            "name": "COTTSWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "RS030651"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Cottsway House",
                "locality": "Witney",
                "postalCode": "OX28 4YG",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "CottswayProcurement@cottsway.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-RS030651",
        "name": "COTTSWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "We are looking for a light-touch response at this stage. Please provide a short overview based on the points above, outlining how you typically deliver these services and the structure you would propose for a two-year arrangement. At this stage, there will be no requirement to interview, we are just looking for a brief proposal based on the requirements set out above. There is no need to submit full proposals or detailed SLAs at this stage. Contact and Submission Responses and clarifications should be submitted via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/ProjectManage/138.",
                "dueDate": "2025-07-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "039649-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039649-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-07-14T14:10:34+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract",
        "description": "Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract Summary Cottsway is seeking information from organisations capable of providing software development and data services through a service-based contract. This follows an internal review of resourcing options and a decision to explore external delivery models in place of direct recruitment. This RFI is intended to understand the market's ability to support the following areas through a flexible, cost-effective service arrangement. It is not a call for competition, and responses will inform our future procurement approach. Scope of Services We are seeking suppliers who can support both development and data-related activities, including but not limited to: Software Development Services * Development of business tools and automations (e.g. using Python, JavaScript) * Business process improvements and systems integration (e.g. via APIs) * Support and enhancement of existing applications and digital platforms Data and Reporting Services * Development of SQL queries and reporting solutions * Management and structuring of data for self-service access * Data warehousing, ETL processes, and analytics support * Use of tools and methods to enable data quality monitoring, smart reporting, and AI/ML-powered insights Information Requested Suppliers are invited to provide the following details in response to this RFI: * Overview of Your Organisation and Relevant Experience: o Brief introduction to your organisation and relevant experience in delivering both development and data services * Service Model and Delivery Approach: o The type of contract models you offer (e.g. ticket-based support, fixed hours per month, annual retainer, etc.) o Your ability to support a 24-month service contract o How you typically manage incoming work requests and prioritise delivery * Service Objectives and Quality: o What service levels or delivery expectations you typically work to o An outline of how you usually manage service objectives, turnaround times, and overall quality assurance (rather than full SLAs) * Pricing Approach: o Indicative cost structures or typical pricing models for similar arrangements (e.g. monthly fees, bundled hours, on-demand rates) o An indication of pricing based on the above details. Response Guidelines We are looking for a light-touch response at this stage. Please provide a short overview based on the points above, outlining how you typically deliver these services and the structure you would propose for a two-year arrangement. At this stage, there will be no requirement to interview, we are just looking for a brief proposal based on the requirements set out above. There is no need to submit full proposals or detailed SLAs at this stage. Budget Our budget is around PS50,000 Per Year. Timeline Please submit your response by 31/07/2025 @ 14:00 Contact and Submission Responses and clarifications should be submitted via the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/LoginHelp.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72200000",
                        "description": "Software programming and consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72300000",
                        "description": "Data services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 100000,
            "amount": 80000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2025-09-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2027-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}