Tender

The Appointment of a Digital and Data Strategic Partner

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

31 Oct 2025 at 17:09

Tender

31 Oct 2025 at 17:06

Planning

18 Aug 2025 at 14:38

Summary of the contracting process

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced an open procurement for appointing a Digital and Data Strategic Partner as part of its Digital Transformation Programme. The procurement process is ongoing and has reached the tender update stage, with critical activities being facilitated through WMCA's digital operating model enhancement and system improvements. The focus is on ensuring secure, compliant services while embedding digital-first capabilities. The tender, titled "The Appointment of a Digital and Data Strategic Partner," falls under the services industry category specifically targeting IT consulting and digital mapping services within the West Midlands, UK. Key deadlines include the clarification question period ending on 14th November 2025 and the ITT submission deadline on 28th November 2025. The contract, valued at approximately £4,800,000, is scheduled to commence on 31st March 2026 and could continue until 30th March 2030, depending on extensions.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in IT services, consulting, or digital transformation strategies, providing an avenue for strategic collaboration with a sub-central public authority. Companies offering expertise in digital mapping, system improvement, and digital capability development will find themselves well-suited to compete, especially those adept at digital operating model refinement. The tender evaluation prioritises technical quality (65%) over commercial pricing (35%), suggesting a preference for firms confident in their innovative approaches and strategic insights into digital transformations. Moreover, the process has been designed to be inclusive of SMEs, ensuring a level playing field for both established firms and smaller enterprises aiming to build their portfolio in the public sector. The competitive flexible procedure should attract a diverse range of contenders, fostering a dynamic and growth-focused business environment.

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Notice Title

The Appointment of a Digital and Data Strategic Partner

Notice Description

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is undertaking a significant Digital Transformation Programme. This encompasses a range of activities from refining the digital operating model and implementing foundational systems improvement (to ensure secure and compliant services) to introducing the skills and capabilities needed across the organisation for it to become truly digital by default. WMCA wishes to secure a strategic partner to support and aid on this journey, to provide assurance for the roadmap, and to supplement people resources where required. Evaluation: Technical (Quality) 65% / Commercial (Price) 35% Clarification Question Deadline by 14th November 2025 - 12:00pm via BravoSolutions. ITT Submission Deadline: 28th November 2025, 12:00pm via BravoSolutions. In order to access the tender documents and submit your bid, please do so through BravoSolutions (The WMCA's e-tendering portal) which can be located via this link - https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk. The project reference is : project_1141 - Digital Strategic Transformation Partner, ITT_1836

Planning Information

WMCA intend to circulate a questionnaire through Bravo (WMCA e-tendering portal), allowing you to provide more information about your interest and comment on the proposed approach. Portal Website: https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk Pre Market Engagement Title: Market Engagement Digital Strategic Transformation Partner Bravo Solution Project Reference: PQQ_259

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0589f7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070261-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

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


CPV Codes

71354100 - Digital mapping services

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Oct 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
28 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Mar 2026 - 30 Mar 2028 2-3 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
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.team@wmca.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

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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