Tender

'ACCESS YOUR RECORDS' SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

16 Oct 2025 at 09:17

Tender

22 Sep 2025 at 13:24

Summary of the contracting process

The National Archives is presently overseeing a public procurement process for the development of the 'Access Your Records' service, a project centred within the information technology services sector. The contract, based in the United Kingdom across regions UKI and UKJ, involves an initial period of six months with the potential to extend to a total of 18 months. This procurement is in the tender update stage, with the tender period ending on 22nd October 2025. Submissions are invited under a competitive flexible procedure, evaluated over two stages, to select a delivery partner who will enhance the service, which provides secure online access to transferred digital records. The project is backed by a funding allocation of £1,000,000, with potential advancements guided by agile development practices to address user needs effectively.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in IT development and agile methodologies, particularly those skilled in digital records management systems. Companies with expertise in leveraging modern technology stacks, including AWS, Python, and Flask, as well as user-centred design and user engagement, are well-suited to compete. The contract prioritises quality and social value, assigning a specific weight to these criteria, thus providing SMEs an advantageous stature in the evaluation process. The potential to extend the project's timeframe further provides an opportunity for sustained business growth and collaboration with a central government authority.

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Notice Title

'ACCESS YOUR RECORDS' SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Notice Description

The objective of this procurement process is to source a delivery partner who will work with us in developing further the 'Access Your Records' service. We plan to award a contract for an initial 6 month period, with an extension option of up to 12 months (i.e. a maximum of 18 months in total). The Access Your Records (AYR) Service offers secure online login for select government and all-access TNA users to browse and search the metadata and record content of digital records they have transferred to The National Archives with ease. They can browse or search to find individual records and view them in the browser or download them if required. This service is distinct from public access services as it also provides access to records that are closed to the public if they are subject to an exemption under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. There are many reasons why a government department may need to view previously transferred records e.g. if an FOI request has been made against a closed record or if a public inquiry or subsequent investigation relates to records already transferred to the archive. AYR is following an iterative Agile development approach. All service enhancements will be planned and implemented in response to evidenced user need. We anticipate making improvements to all aspects of the service including our search, browse and view journey. There will also be things we have not yet anticipated that will emerge from user research and stakeholder engagement. The current technology stack comprises: Github, AWS, Open Search, Python, Flask, GDS design system, Universal Viewer.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: One extension option of up to 12 months in duration.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059f2c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065813-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
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

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


CPV Codes

72222300 - Information technology services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
22 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 30 Jun 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@nationalarchives.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
RICHMOND
Postcode
TW9 4DU
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
TLI London, TLJ South East (England)

Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Kew
Westminster Constituency
Richmond Park

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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