Award

EA Integrated Financial Management Information System Inc. HR/Payroll (Formerly the iFS Project / now known as the EA One Project)

THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

13 Feb 2026 at 14:16

Award

28 Aug 2025 at 15:04

Summary of the contracting process

The recent procurement process, led by the Education Authority in Belfast, United Kingdom, focuses on the provision of a fully integrated Finance and HR/Payroll system, formerly known as the iFS Project and now referred to as the EA One Project. This process falls under the category of system and support services and has reached the award stage, with key modifications to the contract completed on 13 February 2026. The process utilises a limited procurement method, which entails awarding the contract without prior publication of a call for competition. The service aims to enhance the financial and HR management capabilities of both the Education Authority and the Department of Education, including significant modifications such as integrating a Punchout solution to bolster ordering processes and compliance with legal requirements, promising a final contract value of £40,401,666, operational until the end of March 2027.

This procurement presents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in system integration and support services, particularly those with a focus on public sector solutions. The contract awarded to Fujitsu Services Limited, a large-scale supplier based in Bracknell, reflects the significant demand for expertise in managing complex, integrated Financial Management Information Systems aligned with compliance and efficiency requirements. Companies equipped with technical proficiency in enhancing finance and payroll systems can find considerable growth potential in engagements like these, as the process demands robust technical capabilities and adherence to stringent regulatory frameworks. It is ideal for businesses that can deliver innovative solutions that facilitate prompt payments, accurate invoicing, and streamlined order processes, driving efficiency and compliance within the educational sector.

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Notice Title

EA Integrated Financial Management Information System Inc. HR/Payroll (Formerly the iFS Project / now known as the EA One Project)

Notice Description

Provision of a fully integrated Finance and HR/Payroll system for the Education Authority

Lot Information

Lot 1

The contract is for an integrated Financial Management Information system and HR/Payroll (including DE's Teachers' payrolls) to meet the Financial Accounting and Reporting requirements and the HR management and Payroll requirements of the Education Authority and the Department of Education. Additional information: This VEAT is to inform the market of the proposal to modify this contract to enable the addition and introduction an integrated Punchout solution to the iFS system. The introduction of this solution will involve the addition of PS213,000.00 to the Overall Contract Value (this value is for all envisaged costs for the delivery and operation of the Punchout solution up to 31/03/2027).. . The revised overall contract value will then be PS40,401,666.00.. . The introduction of the module will aid EA to comply with its legal requirements as detailed below: . - The Procurement Act 2024 (section68(2)) requires that 100% undisputed invoices are paid within 30 days. EA currently has a Prompt Payment target to pay invoices within 30 days, and achievement of this is dependent on having an efficient way of raising orders. Punchout will support ordering accuracy, leading to less credit notes and payment delays due to difficulties in invoice matching.

Options: The initial contract duration for the iFS Contract will be for a period of ten (10) years. The contract will include an option to extend the contract for five (5) further periods of one (1) year (15 years in total).

Procurement Information

The legislation governing the Contract Modification is the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and Regulation 72 (Modification of contracts during . their term). For this particular contract modification EA could rely on Reg 72(1)(e). Regulation 72(1)(e) states; The changes are "not substantial', and further defines "not substantial" as under Regulation 72(8) of the PCRs as: (a) the modification does not render the contract materially different in character; (b) the modification does not introduce any conditions which, had they been part of the initial procurement, would have (i) allowed for admission of other candidates than those initially selected; (ii) allowed for the acceptance of a tender other than that originally accepted; or (iii) attracted additional participants in the procurement procedure; (c) the modification does not change the economic balance of the contract in favour of the contractor; (d) the modification does not extend the scope of the contract considerably; and (e) the modification does not replace the contractor that the contract was initially awarded to. The introduction of the e-Invoicing module to this contract does not: (f) render the contract materially different in character - (this is an integral module to most modern Finance and Payment systems); (g) it doesn't introduce any new conditions that would have allowed for the admission of other candidates, or, allowed for the acceptance of another tender, or, attracted additional participants in the original procurement procedure; (h) the modification value of PS213,000.00 represents a very small percentage increase (i.e. 0.7%) to the original contract value; (i) the scope of the modification does not extend the scope of the contract considerably (it is a fairly small piece of functionality that is being added to the overall solution); and (j) the modification does not replace the contractor that the contract was initially awarded to (the contract remains with Fujitsu).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058fa8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013472-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

72250000 - System and support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£40,401,666 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Nov 201510 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ict.procure@eani.org.uk
Contact Phone
+44 2890564000

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT1 2NQ
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Duncairn
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FUJITSU SERVICES

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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