Award

Open Digital Planning - Back Office Planning System (BOPS) Development and Route-to market

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

24 Nov 2025 at 11:49

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

02 Sep 2025 at 16:01

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

02 Sep 2025 at 15:36

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Buckinghamshire Council is overseeing the development and implementation of the Back Office Planning System (BOPS), a crucial part of the Open Digital Planning programme, aimed at transforming planning services across the UK. This procurement process falls under the services category and has been awarded to Unboxed Consulting Limited. The contract, which commenced on 10th November 2025 and will conclude on 1st September 2026, was negotiated through a direct award for the development of additional modules and route-to-market strategies for the BOPS project. The decision for a direct award was justified due to Unboxed Consulting Limited's prior involvement and expertise in developing the core platform, aligning with procurement laws under the Procurement Act 2023 to support innovation and efficiency. The project's primary location is Aylesbury, with partnership efforts extending to London.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for large-scale enterprises specialising in industry-specific software development services. The direct award affirms Unboxed Consulting Limited's integral role, justifying its continued involvement due to their technical expertise and understanding of system architecture, which are imperative for maintaining alignment across interconnected digital initiatives. Innovative enterprises adept at contributing to digital transformation projects in the public sector can find this procurement process encouraging and insightful, highlighting the strategic benefits of maintaining programme stability and avoiding potential complications with new supplier engagement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Open Digital Planning - Back Office Planning System (BOPS) Development and Route-to market

Notice Description

Buckinghamshire Council is the national lead and contract holder for the Back Office Planning System (BOPS), a key component of the Open Digital Planning (ODP) programme, which is fully sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). BOPS is being developed in coordination with two sister products--PlanX (led by Lambeth Council) and the Digital Planning Register (led by Camden Council)--as part of a comprehensive digital transformation of planning services in the UK. This is for the provision of development of additional modules and route-to-market workstream for this project.

Procurement Information

The direct award is justified on two grounds: prototypes and development, and single supplier (technical reasons). This contract is being awarded directly under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, which permit direct awards in cases involving specialised development activities and novel service delivery. The supplier has previously delivered the core platform and is uniquely positioned to provide the required enhancements due to their established technical integration and in-depth understanding of the system architecture. Engaging a new supplier would introduce material risks to interoperability, delivery timelines, and cost efficiency. The work forms part of a strategically funded programme involving multiple interdependent digital initiatives. Continuity with the incumbent supplier ensures alignment across workstreams, supports programme stability, and mitigates disruption to delivery. This approach is consistent with the objectives of the Procurement Act to support innovation, efficiency, and value for money in the delivery of public services. Buckinghamshire Council is the national lead and contract holder for the Back Office Planning System (BOPS), a key component of the Open Digital Planning (ODP) programme, which is fully sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). BOPS is being developed in coordination with two sister products, as part of a comprehensive digital transformation of planning services in the UK.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059290
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076401-2025
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,268,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,268,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
10 Nov 2025 - 1 Sep 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
AYLESBURY
Postcode
HP19 8FF
Post Town
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Aylesbury North West
Westminster Constituency
Aylesbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

UNBOXED CONSULTING

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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