Planning

Financial Management Solution for VG and GMI Schools and School Fees Management Solution for VG Schools

EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

24 Oct 2025 at 09:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

14 Oct 2025 at 08:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland is currently engaged in a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise aimed at informing the procurement of a Financial Management Solution for Voluntary Grammar and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools and a School Fees Management Solution for Voluntary Grammar Schools. The process is in the planning stage and is not a formal tender. Key dates include a deadline of 15:00 on Friday, 31st October 2025, for the submission of questionnaires via eTendersNI. This engagement aims to explore innovative solutions in the software package and information systems industry category, focusing on the area of Belfast within the United Kingdom.

This PME exercise presents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialising in software package development, financial systems software, and IT services. Companies offering consulting, software development, and support services, particularly those with experience in educational and financial management systems, are well-suited for participation. Engaging in this exercise allows businesses to showcase their capabilities and provide input on feasibility, risks, and costs, potentially influencing future procurement strategies by the Education Authority. This initiative could facilitate growth for businesses aiming to expand their presence in the public sector and contribute to modernising educational administrative processes in Northern Ireland.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Financial Management Solution for VG and GMI Schools and School Fees Management Solution for VG Schools

Notice Description

***This is not a tender exercise*** The Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI) would like to invite participation in a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise to seek the views of the market for the provision of a Financial Management System in Voluntary Grammar and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools, and of a School Fees Management System for Voluntary Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland. The purpose of this PME exercise is for EANI to gain an understanding of the latest developments and innovative solutions available for school settings and will be used to assist EANI in gaining a better understanding of the feasibility of the requirements, the most appropriate procurement and operational approach, the capacity of the market to deliver the requirements and an opportunity for the market to highlight any possible risks or issues. This PME exercise also seeks to identify indicative costs to help inform the business case on the commercial aspects for the delivery and implementation of solution(s). For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase of the project and is not part of any formal procurement process and there is no commitment at this stage to carry out such a process. Any information gathered will not be considered in any future tender exercise. Please note that participation or non-participation in this PME exercise shall not prevent any supplier from participating in any future procurement process, nor is it intended that any information provided shall place any supplier at an advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement exercise. Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from the documents section of the CfT on eTendersNI. Suppliers who wish to participate in the PME exercise must return the completed questionnaire via the messaging function of the CfT on eTendersNI no later than 15:00 on Friday 31st October 2025. As part of the PME exercise, participants may be invited to attend a follow-up session with EANI to explore and discuss the information provided in their response, this will be at the discretion of EANI.

Planning Information

Suppliers who wish to participate in the PME exercise must return the completed questionnaire via the messaging function of the CfT on eTendersNI no later than 15:00 on Friday 31st October 2025. As part of the PME exercise, participants may be invited to attend a follow-up session with EANI to explore and discuss the information provided in their response, this will be at the discretion of EANI.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05cbef
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068064-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48100000 - Industry specific software package

48442000 - Financial systems software package

48812000 - Financial information systems

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

72212442 - Financial systems software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2026 - 28 Feb 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
edis.procurement@eani.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Duncairn
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

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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