Tender

Research Grants Management System

ASTON UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

19 Nov 2025 at 05:29

Summary of the contracting process

Aston University, located in Birmingham, United Kingdom, is actively seeking a Service Provider to implement a Research Grants Management System. This procurement, classified under software-related services, falls within the UKG31 region. The open competitive flexible procedure is currently at the tender stage, with submissions due by 12:00 on 19th December 2025. The project, budgeted at £596,000, aims for completion by December 2026, aiming to provide cost certainty and added value services over the duration of the contract.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in developing and managing software and research systems. SMEs with expertise in application lifecycle management, system integrations, and workflow automation would find this tender fitting, with potential prospects for business growth through service delivery and contract renewal over the subsequent years. Participating suppliers must demonstrate the capability to deliver high-quality solutions, as quality is heavily weighted at 80% versus 20% for cost in the evaluation criteria. The engagement process includes multiple stages like presentations and interviews, offering vital networking and showcase opportunities for the participating businesses.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Research Grants Management System

Notice Description

This procurement will: - deliver a single Service Provider for Aston who will be able to provide a fully functioning Research Grants Management System by December 2026. deliver added value services over the duration of the Contract; - deliver cost certainty for Aston through clearly articulated in the pricing schedule Full details, including the tender documentation and award criteria, can be accessed on ProContract.

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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074997-2025
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

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£596,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£596,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
12 Feb 2026 - 11 Feb 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2030-02-12

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
SHIRLEY O'REILLY
Contact Email
s.a.oreilly@aston.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Post Town
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db-2025-11-19T05:29:04Z",
    "date": "2025-11-19T05:29:04Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-RC000904",
            "name": "ASTON UNIVERSITY",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "RC000904"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PTLB-7496-TPTR"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Aston University",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "postalCode": "B4 7ET",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "SHIRLEY O'REILLY",
                "email": "s.a.oreilly@aston.ac.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.aston.ac.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-RC000904",
        "name": "ASTON UNIVERSITY"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "1104",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Research Grants Management System",
        "description": "This procurement will: - deliver a single Service Provider for Aston who will be able to provide a fully functioning Research Grants Management System by December 2026. deliver added value services over the duration of the Contract; - deliver cost certainty for Aston through clearly articulated in the pricing schedule Full details, including the tender documentation and award criteria, can be accessed on ProContract.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72260000",
                        "description": "Software-related services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKG31",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 596000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
        "procedure": {
            "features": "Stage 1 - Invitation to Tender (ITT) Stage The ITT stage is composed of 3 sub-stages; A) Procurement Specific Questionnaire B) Quality Evaluation C) Price Evaluation Following an initial evaluation of the ITT stage, it is anticipated that a shortlist of up to 5 highest scoring tenderers from stage 1 will proceed to stage 2 of the Competitive Flexible Procedure. In the best interest of all parties, Aston reserves the right to invite more or fewer suppliers to stage 2, depending on the closeness of the scores. The provisional ranking will not be disclosed to tenderers. Tenderers who are not shortlisted will be eliminated from the tender process at this stage. Stage 2 - Presentation/Interview Stage Shortlisted suppliers will be required to attend a Presentation/Interview in-person at Aston University, along with a panel of key Aston stakeholders. A brief will be provided at least 10 days prior to the Presentation/Interview date. No separate weighting has been reserved for this stage. The purpose of this stage is to provide an opportunity to confirm that the proposals made are deliverable, as well as verify tenderer's understanding and capabilities. Aston therefore reserves the right to adjust tender scores following the presentations, resulting in a final tender score for each tenderer. The Costs scores from the pricing element will be recalculated in accordance with the original methodology to reflect only the tenderers remaining in the process for this stage. Award Process The University will select the preferred bidder from among the Tenderers (the \"Preferred Bidder\"). The University may do so either: without further submissions, in which case the Preferred Bidder shall be the Tenderer whose submission scored highest at Stage 2 or with further submissions, by first entering into negotiations with all Tenderers whose tender submissions satisfied Mandatory Requirements, and then inviting all of those Tenderers to submit revised submissions, in which case the Preferred Bidder shall be the Tenderer whose revised submission scored highest. Preferred bidder The Preferred Bidder will be notified that it is the preferred bidder. The University reserves the right to enter into negotiations with the Preferred Bidder in order to finalise the terms of the contracts (e.g. clarifications, specifications, optimisation and other negotiations to confirm financial commitments or other terms contained in the Preferred Bidder's tender submission and / or BAFO). Where the University decides to enter into the contract without further negotiation and any standstill period has expired without any legal challenge being made, the University shall conclude the contract by issuing a contract award document. In addition, the University may send the Tenderer a legal agreement for signature for its records and in such circumstances the tenderer shall countersign and return the legal agreement to the University promptly (and no later than 7 days from the date of receipt of such legal agreement). When the University has made a final decision to award the Contract, and after the expiry of any Standstill Period (being 8 working days from the date of the Contract Award Notice), the University will notify the successful Tenderer(s) of the University's decision to award the Contract. If it has not already done so, the University will also notify any unsuccessful Tenderers including information on the characteristics and relative advantages (whilst respecting commercial sensitivity) of the successful Tender(s). Quality - 80% Price 20% Application Lifecycle Management 18.0% External Partner and Organisation Management 4.0% Workflow and Automation 8.0% System Integrations 10.0% Contracts and Due Diligence 4.0% Notifications and Communications 4.0% Data, Records and Compliance 4.0% Reporting and Analytics 10.0% Non-Functional Requirements 2.0% IT Non-Functional Requirements 13.0% Cost 20.0% Social Value 3.0%"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://procontract.due-north.com/SupplierRegistration/Register",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-19T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-08T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-19T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 596000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Cost",
                            "description": "Total price for complete implementation, including all licences, project management and ongoing costs over the period of the contract.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Functional and Non-Functional Requirements.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-02-12T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2029-02-11T23:59:59Z",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-02-11T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "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."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Suppliers are required to submit their tender response on our e-tendering portal ProContract. Suppliers must first register on the ProContract portal to enable access to the tender documentation. Please use the following URL https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-2",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Suppliers are required to submit their tender response on our e-tendering portal ProContract. Suppliers must first register on the ProContract portal to enable access to the tender documentation. Please use the following URL https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-3",
                "documentType": "technicalSpecifications",
                "description": "Suppliers are required to submit their tender response on our e-tendering portal ProContract. Suppliers must first regiser on the ProContract portal to enable access to the tender documentation. Please use the following URL https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2"
            },
            {
                "id": "future",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "accessDetails": "Tenderers who are shortlisted will receive the presentation brief at least 10 days before the presentation date. All other documentation will be available upon registration."
            },
            {
                "id": "074997-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074997-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-11-19T05:29:04Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "recurrence": {
            "dates": [
                {
                    "startDate": "2030-02-12T23:59:59Z"
                }
            ]
        },
        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "Invoices must be submitted electronically. Undisputed invoices will be paid within 30 days but must adhere to the University's payment policy. All invoices must quote a valid purchase order number."
        }
    },
    "language": "en"
}