Tender

'ACCESS YOUR RECORDS' SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

27 Mar 2026 at 10:58

TenderUpdate

16 Oct 2025 at 09:17

Tender

22 Sep 2025 at 13:24

Summary of the contracting process

The National Archives, a central government public authority based in Kew, Richmond, initiated a procurement process titled "'ACCESS YOUR RECORDS' SERVICE DEVELOPMENT", within the information technology services sector. This project aims to source a delivery partner to enhance the Access Your Records service, using an iterative Agile development approach. The process follows an 'open' procurement method, detailed as a competitive flexible procedure. Notably, the tender submission deadline was on 22 October 2025, with the service expected to start on 1 January 2026 and potentially extend until 30 June 2027. Unfortunately, the procurement was later cancelled as announced in the termination notice published on 27 March 2026.

This tender presents growth opportunities particularly for businesses skilled in IT services and Agile software development. Companies proficient in technologies like AWS, Open Search, Python, and Flask, and those with experience working with government digital systems stand to benefit significantly. The contract was targeted towards small and medium enterprises (SMEs), focusing heavily on service quality and social value criterion, offering £1,000,000 for initial services with potential renewal for an additional twelve months. Despite the cancellation, awareness of the requirements can prepare companies for similar future opportunities with The National Archives.

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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/028393-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination 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
27 Mar 20264 weeks 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
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Cancelled
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

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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