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Research Grants Management System

ASTON UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Apr 2026 at 09:31

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

04 Mar 2026 at 15:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

19 Nov 2025 at 05:29

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aston University, located in Birmingham, is seeking to procure a new Research Grants Management System due to the impending end-of-life of their current Unit 4 Agresso Research Costing and Pricing system. This tender, initiated in April 2026, aims to enhance automation, collaboration, and reporting across the university's research funding processes. The procurement method used is a competitive flexible procedure, with significant emphasis on quality at 80% and cost at 20%. The contract commenced on April 27, 2026, and is expected to run until November 2029, with potential extensions to 2031. This opportunity falls under the services category, specifically software-related services, and is open to electronic submissions in English.

This tender opens avenues for businesses specialising in software development and information systems, particularly those offering innovative solutions for grants management and accounting. Given the complexity and collaborative nature of the project, it suits established SMEs capable of providing sophisticated software packages and related services. Successful bidders will have the chance to work with Aston University on enhancing strategic operations through improved digital solutions, addressing critical compliance issues, and facilitating better data-driven decisions. The contract presents substantial value for businesses, with gross amounts reaching beyond half a million GBP, making it a lucrative opportunity for growth and partnership in the higher education sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Research Grants Management System

Notice Description

The University currently uses Unit 4 Agresso Research Costing and Pricing (ARCP) as its research grant management system and costing tool. It provides valuable data and reports as part of Aston's pre- and post-award grants processes and houses the approvals process via an automated system in Agresso. The tool also functions as a storage facility for application and award paperwork, tax liabilities and due diligence. All research reporting using PowerBI is underpinned by data held in ARCP. Due to Unit 4 issuing an end-of-life announcement, ARCP will no longer be supported or maintained from 31st December 2026. Without a timely viable alternative, there is a significant risk that the university would not be compliant with Cyber Essentials and critical business activities would grind to a halt. The ARCP system is used by Research and Enterprise and Research Finance, and provides information for the Finance Director, College Deans, and Vice Chancellor. Given the end-of life announcement for ARCP, the teams want to use this opportunity to find a solution that can deliver improved automation, collaboration and reporting across the teams involved in pre-award and post-award research funding enhancing strategic operations

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Any subsequent extension to the contract will be agreed between Aston and the Supplier. It is likely that Aston will seek the Supplier to demonstrate improvements and/or price reductions before considering an extension. For any extension(s) to the contract, discussions with the Supplier shall be conducted sufficiently far in advance of the contract expiry date to arrive at an agreed position. The ability to continually meet the University's Key Performance Indicators and service level agreement whilst delivering best value and sustained performance and support will impact the decision to extend.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034976-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

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

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£596,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£596,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£299,600 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£299,600 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Mar 20265 months ago
Contract Period
27 Apr 2026 - 16 Nov 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2030-02-12

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG31 Birmingham
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FUSION PRACTICES LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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